Word count 10,020
I walked to the Hunter's workshop, finding Gherman where I last saw him.
"Good Hunter. How goes the Hunt?" he asked, leaning forward.
I smiled. "It goes pretty well, I believe."
I described some of what I faced, Gherman listening intently, before I mentioned the Cleric Beast that I had just slained.
He grimaced. "Ah yes, those beasts... Clerics who fall to beasthood make for the worst of Beasts. Stronger, bigger, more bloodthirsty... Whatever the reason for it, those of the Healing Church who fall to the beast within always turn into some of the worst of that which us Hunters hunt."
He nodded approvingly at me.
"You did well slaying it, even if it did take you several tries. The Dream truly is convenient, is it not?" he grinned, though said grin vanished in seconds, a scowl replacing it. "Don't take it for granted, however. This Dream is a tool, a tool for you hunters, but like any tool it is meant to enhance your strength, not become the whole of it. Sharpen your skills, learn of your preys strengths and weaknesses, devise strategies and tactics out of what you you know you can do and your foes known capabilities."
He grinned sharply.
"I don't need to tell you that dying hurt, do I?" he asked mockingly.
I winced, flashbacks of my various deaths so far passing through my mind.
I shook my head silently.
He nodded.
"Good. That aside, is there anything else you require?"
I nodded, before reaching out in my Inventory for a Blood stone shard.
Gherman's eyes widened at the sight of my hand seemingly vanishing in the middle of nowhere, before narrowing when it came out holding the loot.
Now that I thought about it... he never saw my Inventory before, did he?
"Interesting power you've got there..." he declared, looking from the spot where my hand had vanished to where it now was, Blood stone chunk held within.
I grinned. "I call it my Inventory. It's like a personal pocket space where I can put stuff in. No need to worry about anything breaking or being lost that way- and I can store a pretty large amount of stuff in it, too, so that's useful."
Gherman looked at me with interest.
"How much CAN it hold? Is there some sort of limit?"
I frowned. Now that he mentioned it...
"I don't think so? It certainly doesn't feel like there is. Well, except that I still need to be able to hold whatever I wish to put in it. I can't put a house in my Inventory or anything."
"Fascinating..." he muses. Then his eyes settled on what I was holding.
"I presume you wish to know more about these?" he said, waving his right hand in the blood stone chunk direction.
"Yes." I agreed. "I know some about Hunter's weapons, but not much about how to use those Blood stone chunks and the like."
He looked at me for a moment, before nodding.
"Very well then." He moved to the workshop desk. "Then comes, Good Hunter- let this be my first lesson to you."
With a wide grin, I followed, drawing my Hunter's Axe from my Inventory and putting it on the desk.
Gherman looked at it with a critical look for a moment, before leaning forward.
"Alright, so first, take a few more Blood stone chunks out, and then-"
And that was when my first lesson with Gherman, the First Hunter, happened.
He taught me about the various kinds of Blood I was likely to come across, about how to recognize and use each one, about their uses and effects, and even how to create my own blood vials.
Gherman was a patient but strict teacher, refusing to consider anything as properly taught until I could recite or do what he taught me without a single second of hesitation.
It took what I am pretty sure were many hours to properly teach me everything he wanted to teach me to his satisfaction, but by the end of it we were both satisfied by the progress made.
And really, what value had Time when in a Dream? Whether hours or days, it mattered not for either of us.
Only results did.
And results, there unquestionably were.
Eventually, we both relaxed, my newly improved Hunter's Axe (+1) in my hands.
Gherman nodded approvingly at it.
"You learned pretty quickly. Good. It can definitively be improved further, but for your first work with Blood, it's well done."
I smiled.
"Thanks to your help, Gherman. I couldn't have learned everything I did today without you." My smile turned into a grin. "Should I call you *Master Gherman* from now on?"
Gherman stared at me for a long moment, before harrumphing loudly.
"We'll see. You learned quickly, I'll give you that much, but there is more to a Hunter than just knowing how to upgrade one's weapon. Beside, there is more about the Blood and it's uses that I shall have to teach you- you learned and mastered the basics, eventually you'll have to truly learn how to master the use of all variants of Blood. Still, that can be done later. For now, I suppose your work was... adequate."
I grinned.
"High praises from one like you, First Hunter." I teased. Gherman scoffed, but before he could reply I gave him a Hunter's bow.
"Thank you for teaching me, Gherman. I really do appreciate it."
He looked at me for a moment, before nodding sharply.
"Thank me by going out and hunting more beasts, Good Hunter. The Long Night of the Hunt has only just begun- you'll have plenty of opportunities to put what I taught you to good use."
I nodded back.
"I shall."
And with that, I walked out of the Hunter's Workshop, newly improved Hunter's Axe returning to my Inventory.
Then I finally took a look at the messages from the Game.
And almost did a picture-perfect spit-take at the first message.
"A bonus of learning speed of 1000% while under Gherman's tutellage?! That's-"
I stopped. That was a bonus of 10X my normal learning speed. Bullshit, oh yes, but I was learning under THE Gherman, The First Hunter himself.
Crazy bonusses were to be expected when one learned from a literally mythical figure and legendary individual.
Still, Mythical teacher + Gamer logic = OP, Plz don't nerf.
The second message was that I had gained (+5) of reputation with Gherman. Apparently, killing a Cleric Beast and being a good student made him see me a bit better than before.
I was a bit disappointed it wasn't more, but I couldn't find it in myself to be surprised that the First Hunter had very high standards.
The next message informed me that I had gained (+15) Int from my lessons on the Blood and it's uses. Useful.
Then I looked at the last message, which-
...
Ah! Luck was truly on my side, because one of my theory was just proven correct!
See, I made some of the choices I made when selecting my perks out of the belief that I could simply acquire some of them directly while in the Jump. And I was right!
I learned (Blood Artisan) from Gherman!
It really was there, the same perk than on the jump document!
Which meant that I could eventually learn (Blood Artisan Plus), and all the others Perks that could be acquired through learning or getting an item or something (Like, for example, The Art of Quickening).
Quite happy with that revelation, I went and decided to talk with the Doll some more.
"Good Hunter. Do you require my help?" she asked as I came closer.
I opened my mouth... then closed it, looked at my [Status], and nodded.
I did have the Cleric Beast's Blood echoes still in me, after all.
"Could you strengthen me again?"
She smiled.
"Of course, Good Hunter. Please, stand close... and close your eyes."
I did as instructed, feeling her taking my right hand, before the by now familiar feelings of the Doll doing... whatever it was she was doing began.
Gun Wielding Mastery, I thought.
I had leveled my Axe wielding skill last time, but now my gun wielding skill was lacking behind. and since I was likely to keep using a gun for the entirety of the Hunt ahead... It was only natural to improve that skill.
I was currently level (20) in it, so with (4000) blood echoes...
I smiled when it finished at level (34).
My fight with the Cleric Beast had allowed my (Axe wielding Mastery) to reach level (35), so all told I was effectively reaching the level of a hunter who knew how to use his weapons without killing himself with them.
And was even somewhat capable of hitting his enemies!
... Okay, sarcasm aside, it was damn impressive- I basically never held a weapon in my entire (former) life, and now I was actually reaching basic competence.
And it's only been... what, a few hours?
By all the Great Ones, being a Gamer/Jumper combo + having the Doll's assistance was AWESOME.
In any case, with me now being done with my Blood echoes, I opened my eyes.
"Thank you, Good Doll." I said brightly.
"It is my pleasure, Good Hunter." she replied serenely, a small smile on her face.
I looked at her for a moment... then smiled hopefully.
"Would you be interested in hearing about my... adventures, in Yharnam? I fear not much in my tale is going to be nice to hear, but..."
She smiled.
"Of course, Good Hunter. Please, do not hesitate. Many a hunter have passed through this Dream, and..." she trailed off, looking sad for a moment, before perking up again. "While not all cared to share their tales with me, I have come to greatly enjoy those stories I did have the honor to listen to. The Waking World is so very fascinating, after all. So very different from this beautiful and peaceful Dream..."
I grinned widely, though I had to hold back a frown at the thought of those hunters who didn't even bother to really talk to the Doll. Honestly, what was wrong with those fools?!
Well, their mistake. Though it made me feel angry and sad on the Doll's behalf - to have been so rudely ignored as she implied must have hurt.
Still, both of us sat on the small stone wall by the side of the path going up into the Hunter's Workshop, and I began recounting my experiences once again.
Though this time, where with Gherman I focused and the beasts and my victories and failures against them, this time I focused on my feelings over... everything.
I told her of the Blood minister, of my vision/hallucination, of my awakening, of... of my first death by THAT Beast, of how good it felt when I returned and killed it, of my various deaths and struggles during the Hunt...
And of my desire to try and help Humanity survive the Beasts.
"Something needs to be done." I explained. "I haven't been in Yharnam for long, but it's obvious the situation is going from bad to worse. The streets are shock-full of madmen and beasts, and even those still in their houses sounds more mad than sane. If nothing is done..." I trailed off.
The Doll nodded slowly.
"And you wish to help them. But you make it sounds like you wish for more than just slaying the beasts and madmen?" she asked.
I nodded. "I don't know what can be done... but this scourge of Beasts need more to be stopped than simply killing the beasts whenever they appear. If there is a source to this madness afflicting Humanity..." I fell silent for a moment. Then-
"I will find it and kill it. No matter the reason for all of this... this is going too far. So... I shall put an end to it. To it all. To the death, the madness, the living nightmares in our very streets. I shall end it."
The Doll stayed silent, watching me for a long moment.
Then she smiled.
"You are choosing to shoulder a great burden, Good Hunter. The path ahead of you will without a doubt not be easy... but I... I have faith in you. As long as you keep your convictions strong, I believe that you may yet prevail, in the end. So please, do not let yourself forget why you fight during the Hunt. Keep those desires close to your heart, so that they may guide your actions in the Long Night to come. And... if it ever become too much, remember the flower I gave you. Or simply return here, in this Dream, and I promise that I will do my best to soothe your sickly spirit... Aeon."
I blinked, staring at her with wide eyes.
The Doll merely smiled kindly back.
She really is beautiful when she smiles... just as she is far too good for this wretched world, I couldn't help but think.
I personally wasn't much one for overt, physical display of affection, being a rather reserved person myself, but...
I hugged the Doll.
"Thank you." I whispered.
She blinked, before returning the hug.
"Always, Good Hunter." she replied with a gentle smile.
We stayed like that for a long, glorious moment where I simply enjoyed her warmth, all thoughts of Beasts, Blood, Death and Eldritch horrors far and away from my mind.
Then, with a deep sigh, I stepped back, breaking the hug, and then nodded.
"As lovely as it always is to be by your side, I should return to the Hunt. As you said, I have a long, difficult path ahead of me- might as well get on with it, or I fear I might never find it in me to leave the warmth of your embrace." I joked.
The Doll giggled, then nodded.
"Then may you find your worth in the Waking World, Good Hunter. I... look forward to your return." she replied, a small smile on her face.
I smiled back, nodding in farewell, before walking towards the tombstone which will bring me back to Yharnam.
I also waved away the message informing me that I gained (+10) reputation/affection with the Doll, meaning I was now at (35+?/100)- I had no need to check the Gamer system to know that she cared.
Time to go back to the Hunt, I thought with a grin.
Blinking at my return to Yharnam, I quickly prepared myself for the fights ahead.
First, I once again took care of the crows and brick troll on the bridge, followed by cleaning out the house on the right of it of the madmen within, then I returned on the bridge to kill the two beasts close to the stairs to said house, before going up to the opposite side of the bridge.
Some loot later, I went in some small passages to eventually begin my descent...
Into the sewers.
I grimaced- I was in local civilians clothes, and there was nothing to block the horrible smell of said sewers from reaching my nose.
Killing the beasts on my path- jumped attacks from behind works great with Hunter's Axe extended- I went further down... right in the sewer water itself.
When I noticeably was NOT wearing boots.
Truly, no one become a Hunter out of desire for glorious missions, fame or rewards, I couldn't help but think drily, as I performed sweep attack after sweep attack against the literal giants rats trying to kill me.
Finally, I came closer to where I remembered an actual set of Hunter clothes were hidden in, sighing in relief at the idea of being able to put on some proper boots.
Naturally, that is when a very angry, very fast beast jumped out of a corner to brutally kill me.
At least it was a fast death, considering the steel pipe it was holding crushed my head to a bloody pulp...
I woke up.
Stared at the sky of the Hunter's Dream.
Then let out a long sigh.
"And I was so very close to finally getting those damn boots..." I grumbled.
I went back.
Killed the same beasts.
Endured the smell of the sewers.
Endured the waters of said sewers.
Killed the beast that had so impolitely crushed my skull so close to getting THOSE GLORIOUS BOOTS.
Walked towards where I saw those wonderful clothes resting on the ground-
And then a giant rat jumped on my back and bit my head off.
I was, to say the least, rather unamused.
After butchering my way back to those GLORIOUS BOOTS, and making sure, VERY sure that nothing would jump on me THIS TIME (and getting my blood echoes back), I finally stood before the Hunter's set of clothes.
Why the hell there was a perfectly clean set of hunter's clothes in the sewers I had no bloody clue, but I certainly wasn't going to complain.
Finders keepers and all that.
I stood before the clothes, and a gamer's window opened, asking me if I wanted to wear the (Hunter set).
Naturally, I smashed the "yes" button.
And the next moment I was now standing, garbed with the proper clothes of a Hunter.
With my feet finally no longer soaked in sewers water. And with my nose now covered from the smell of said waters.
I let out a very happy sigh.
Then I looked at myself approvingly.
At least now I look like I mean business, I thought with a smile.
And then I did a video games classic- I backtracked.
After returning to the bridge, I went left instead of right, killing some more madmen, mutated dogs (seriously, I'll never be able to look at a dog without suspicion ever again after Yharnam) and a brick troll, getting some loot (I picked up the Torch. Not sure why that one would be any different from any other torchs, but it's there like in the game, so whatever), some more loot (Oil Urn!) and basically killed everything further along the way.
Then I went through twists and turns and the crazy, insane excuse for architecture Yharnam possess to eventually meet one of the best character in the game!
Eileen the Crow, Hoonter of Hoonters!
She turned to look at me, arms crossed over her chest, and I could feel the weight of her gaze through her mask.
Eileen The Crow, Hunter of Hunters
Level ?
Well, that was somewhat helpful, in the sense that my (Insight) made it clear she was much stronger than me.
Not really a surprise, but good to confirm nonetheless.
"Oh, a Hunter, are ya? And... hmm... by your scent, an Outsider?" she questioned. "What a mess you've been caught up in. And tonight, of all nights." She chuckled grimly, her feathered outfit shaking slightly as she shook her head, before she sighed.
She took a few papers out of a pocket and gestured for me to take them.
"Here, to welcome the new hunter."
I took the papers, a message from the Game informing me that I had gained four (Bold Hunter's Marks).
I wasn't sure if I was going to need them, but in a place like Yharnam, the old adage "It's Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it" could literally save your life.
"Thanks."
She nodded. "Prepare yourself for the worst. There are no humans left. They're all flesh-hungry beasts, now."
I shook my head.
"It's not quite that bad. I've met a few Yharnamites that were still sane. A fellow outsider was even kind, which is obviously a commodity in short supply around these parts nowadays, I fear." I joked.
She snorted. "That's certainly one way to put it. Yharnamites aren't exactly happy people on the best of days; it's even worse with outsiders." She sighed. "Though it's good to know at least some people are still sane. I was starting to wonder, honestly- it's been some time since I've seen a friendly face."
I looked at her for a moment. "It's a wonder you haven't tried to stab me, then."
"I've heard you fighting and watched for a while. Trust me; I would've known if you were... Lost. From what I've seen, you haven't been around here much, have you?"
I blinked in suprise. "How do you know?"
She scoffed. "You aren't bad, certainly better than those poor madmen patrolling the streets, but you aren't really that good yet. A bit too much hesitation, a surprising lack of bloodlust... It's all too obvious to an old crow like me."
I mused that in silence. That she managed to watch me without my knowing wasn't unexpected considering what I knew of her (It certainly was a good reminder of how deadly Yharnam is, that someone could quite literally have gone Assassin's Creed on my ass out of nowhere) but that she was capable of noticing how good a hunter I was in... whatever amount of time she watched over me certainly spoke well of her own experience.
Or how bad a hunter I was, in this case.
Well. Friendly and humbling reminder of how far I still needed to go to reach the top was friendly and humbling, as expected.
She gave me a glance.
"Still lingering about? What's wrong? A hunter, unnerved by a few beasts?" she snickered. "No matter. Without fear in our hearts, we're little different from the beasts themselves."
She shook her cape.
Ding!
Yes, thank you Game. I now knew how to dust off any potential cape I might wear while looking cool. Truly, to be a Hunter is a pathway to many abilities some might consider to be... unnatural.
Apparently, I took a bit too long being amused by my own joke, because I could feel the frown Eileen threw my way after I remained silent for too long.
"What are you still doing here? Enough trembling in yer boots. A hoonter must Hoont." She said, her accent thickening at the end, and while her voice was harsh I could feel the slightest hint of concern for me underneath.
I looked at the papers still in my left hand.
"That rune... You know of the Dream?"
She stayed silent for a moment.
"Yes. I Dreamed, once, though that was a long time ago. It appears it's your turn now, Moon-scented Hunter."
I nodded.
"Then I'll make sure to mention you to the Doll...?" I trailed off.
I could almost see the smile on her face.
"Eileen. And please do give my regards to the little Doll- it has been far too long since I last saw her."
"I shall." I promised.
"Good. Then go. Don't you have a few beasts to hunt?" she asked, the dismissal obvious as she turned away.
"Aeon." I said.
She turned back to me.
"You gave me your name, so it's only fair I do the same. I'm Aeon."
She chuckled. "Then good hunting, Aeon." She turned her back to me, returning her gaze to the city beyond us.
I did the same, turning back from where I came from, quickly putting the papers in my Inventory.
I then took a few steps forward, before pausing.
Do I really smell of the Moon? I wondered. I mean, I knew it was a thing in the game, but...
I took a few sniff off myself, before blinking.
Huh. So I do... And what a strange scent it is... not bad, though. Not bad at all...
Now informed I effectively had an all-time Moon-scent perfume, I kept walking away.
Though I could have sworn I heard someone snickering for some reason...
And back in the sewers I returned.
More uglies with steel pipes, more madmen shooting at me, more giants rats being literally sweeped away thanks to my Hunter's Axe, more bloodthirsty crows...
More loot!
I even got my hands on the (Saw Spear)!
Yay!
Then after killing more rats I got close to a body, and clicked "yes" in gaining Madman knowledge.
More [Insights], here I come-
-I felt something flow in my mind-
-Whispers in my brain-
I blinked.
Blinked again.
I turned around, stared at the brutalized corpses of the rats and one Madman several meters away from me, and frowned.
"I could have sworn I was just standing over that guy..." I muttered.
Then I looked at the message of the Game, informing me that I gained (1) Insight.
I looked back at the bodies.
"So... Apparently Madman's Knowledge leads to short-term memory loss. That's... a bit concerning."
I tried to remember what happened, but the only thing I got was... Dark?
I hissed, a sharp headache blossoming in my skull.
"Note to self: Either Madmen's Knowledge sucks compared to other ways of gaining [Insight], or it's trying to give me knowledge my currently puny brain can't comprehend. Handle with caution."
Shaking off the Headache, I walked away, feeling mildly disturbed.
I stayed in the sewers a bit longer, finding more loots and some throwing knives, before finally going up a ladder and back in Yharnam streets.
Killed a few crows, got another Madman Knowledge- this time, whatever happened was about the Cosmos- and I was left with a feeling of deep grief and loss that took me some time to recover from. In any case, I was now at [Insight]: (8)
Which was nice, even if the fact that (Madman's Knowledge) was something I was now mildly weirded out by.
I mean, I should have expected something called MADMAN'S KNOWLEDGE to have some side-effects, but short-term memory loss and headaches-inducing random words that I didn't understand (though I had my theories) were still a bit freaky to deal with.
A big troll- and yet another spiteful civilian who refused to talk to me- later, and I opened a closed gate that will grant me a shortcut to the sewers.
Then I turned, took a deep breath for strength- and went to talk to Gascoigne's Daughter.
A daughter that, unknown to her, I was going to help turn into an orphan.
... Damnit. I felt like shit already, and I didn't even kill her father yet...
"Hello there! Are you doing alright?" I asked.
I heard some shuffling followed by the sound of a chair moving, and then-
"Who are you? I don't know your voice, but I know that smell... Are you a Hunter?" she questionned.
"I am." I replied.
"Then, please, will you look for my mum? Daddy never came back from the Hunt, and she went to find him, but now she's gone, too..."
There was a pause, then-
"I'm all alone... and scared..." she said softly, and I could hear her voice trembling.
I grimaced, holding back a sigh of sadness at this whole situation.
"I'll go look for her, then. I promise." I swore.
And I would find her. Her body, that is.
Damnit.
"Really? Oh, thank you!" She cried out, relief thick in her voice.
Damnit. Damn it all...
"My m-mum wears a red jeweled brooch. It's so big and... and beautiful. You won't miss it... Oh, I mustn't forget. If you find my mum, give her this music box."
She passed me said music box through an opened window, and I could see wide blue eyes framed by golden hairs peering up at me with hope shining bright in them.
I swallowed, gently taking the box in my left hand.
"It plays one of daddy's favorite songs. And when Daddy forget us we play it for him so he remembers. Mum's so silly, running off without it!" she explained, giggling at the end, her voice filled with both hope and fear.
"Understood." I said softly, looking down at the music box in my left hand- my right still holding my Axe.
I looked up at her, taking in again the beautiful little girl, around twelve to thirteen, whose face I would soon be responsible for twisting with grief and loss.
Thank goodness for (Gamer's Mind) and my Hunter outfit hiding most of my face. I wasn't sure what I would, could say if she took notice of how much this conversation was tearing me up on the inside.
"Can you tell me your name and that of your family before I go?"
She blinked, before blushing.
"Ah, right. Sorry about that, Mister Hunter. Well, I'm Violetta, and my mum is Viola, and my daddy's last name is Gascoigne. Oh, and there's my older sister too, Vanessa!"
I nodded.
"Well, my name is Aeon. And it seems your family has something of a naming tradition, what with all these V-starting names." I joked.
She grinned.
"Yup! Apparently it's been that way for a long time on my mum's side of the family."
"Well then, Violetta, if you'll excuse me it appears I have work to do. Stay safe within your home, alright? You have enough incense to ward off the beasts, yes?" I asked.
She nodded, smiling brightly, that painful hope in her blue eyes strong as she stared at me.
"I do, good Hunter Aeon. Thanks for asking, but for now I'll be alright."
I smiled, though she couldn't see it through my outfit.
"Good. In that case, I really should get going. The Hunt will be a long, hard one tonight, I fear..."
She frowned, looking at me in concern now. "Are you going to be alright, then? I..." she hesitated, before grinning. "Mum and Daddy try to hide how bad things can get at times, but I still hear stories sometime. Some are really scary! And there were some loud roars from the bridge not that long ago..." she trailed off, looking scared.
I chuckled.
"Don't worry about those roars. I can guarantee you that the beast who made them is VERY dead."
She stared at me with wide eyes. "Really?"
I grinned. "Considering I'm the one who killed it, yes I am!"
There was awe in her gaze now.
"Woah! Really?! You killed a beast who could roar so loudly?!" She exclaimed, before she smiled brightly.
"That's incredible! You must be a really good Hunter then!"
I laughed. "I'm not quite that good yet, I think. Beside, overconfidence can get you killed in the Hunt. But..." I grinned. "I like to think I'll become the best Hunter ever, one day. Such that nothing, not even the strongest of Beasts can escape me. Who knows, maybe one day I'll become so strong all the beasts will run away from me!"
She giggled, looking up at me with bright blue eyes. "I don't think I've ever heard of someone who could make the beasts run away in fear, mister Hunter, but that certainly sounds nice. Still, I'm sure if you train hard enough you'll become very strong! Just like Daddy!"
I smiled "Indeed! Speaking of, I really should get going. Take care and stay safe, alright?"
"Alright! Good hunting!" She exclaimed, waving goodbye before closing the window.
I looked down at the box in my hand for a long moment, before finally allowing myself to express the feelings raging within me.
I sighed deeply.
Fucking Yharnam... I cursed in my mind, not looking forward at all to my next conversation with Violetta.
Then I put the music box in my Inventory and made my way to More. Fucking. Sewers.
Except those were filled with jumping, crawling undead abominations and more crazy crows falling from down high on me.
I came VERY close to dying, and actually had to use a few blood vials rather than let my natural healing do it's thing in order to not get killed, but knowing what to expect- and using my (insight) skill to confirm all the corpses in the water had, indeed, all been killed and there weren't any sneaky survivors (there were. For a time) managed to ensure my survival.
Oh, and there was more loot too. Yay!
Then I got up a ladder (I didn't kill the big pig yet. Though I looked forward to doing it later), went to the left, took the elevator, got out, then turned around to take it back up (shortcut unlocked!) started to walked up the bridge... and then stopped.
Because I could see the several madmen before me... and more importantly, the massive boulder, ON FIRE behind them.
Thank you, superhuman vision!
The madmen charged me, but I was already running like hell back to the other side of the bridge, before I all but threw myself on the side-
And mere seconds after, the cut-off screams of the madmen were followed by the boulder rolling up and beyond the bridge.
After that rather terrifying experience, I rushed up the bridge and brutally murdered the bastard troll who almost got me crushed AND burned to death.
True, I probably wouldn't have had the time to feel the fire from, you know, being crushed to death, but I still distinctively remembered what burning to death was like.
For all the levels in (Fire Resistance) that had granted me, it was NOT worth the pain and memories, thank you very much.
Then I took the ladder down and-
I grinned.
In the game, that damned giant boar could hear you if you came at it from behind.
But this wasn't the game, I had the (Stealth) skill, and I slowly, but surely got behind that monstrous asshole.
... Pun not intended.
Then I visceral attack'ed that asshole and made it squeal like a pig!
.. Puns still very much not intended.
A few blows from my Axe later, and I was standing before it's corpse radiating with smugness.
Try and kill Violetta, why don't you?! Well, not on my watch! And just you wait! When you'll return to life, I'll have the pleasure of brutally killing a motherfucker not once, but twice!
Sometime, it was good to be a Hunter of the Dream.
That thought was then, of course, followed by looting everything around me.
I was pretty happy, in particular, at getting the [Saw Hunter Badge].
That'll come in handy, and that made it now the second Badge I got my hands on.
Then I went back up through the ladder, took the passage on the left from up there, sneaked up on the two beasts who had their back turned from me, killed the first with my axe, shot the second before it could react and followed that up by cutting it's head off afterwards for good measure.
I paused, gave a good, long look at what awaited me further up... and then turned on my heels and made my way to the nearest Lamp to return to the Dream.
I had 7500 blood echoes on me, like hell was I going to fight Gascoigne with that still not spent!
The instant I was back in the Hunter's Dream, my eyes went straight to the Doll.
Who reacted to my sudden appearance with a blink and a wide smile.
"Good Hunter. I see you have found yourself clothes befitting of a Hunter like yourself." she said. She looked me up and down, a look of obvious approval on her face. "They suit you well. Why, you look like the perfect picture representative of a Gentleman Hunter!" she declared with a small grin.
I blushed, shuffling a bit where I stood, before grinning back, making sure the part of my new outfit that covered my mouth was lowered.
"Indeed! I found this rather fetching outfit out while on the Hunt, and not only does it look good and proved itself surprisingly comfortable, but it is quite tough as well! It certainly does a much better job at protecting me from claws and more than my former clothes."
Which were effectively the same clothes you had starting in the game. I honestly didn't want to think too hard about that, for various reasons.
I stretched a bit, showing off my new outfit, before blushing again.
"So... You like it, then?" I asked, happiness in my voice at her approval.
"I do, Good Hunter. As I said... it does look good on you." she agreed, her small smile still very much present as her eyes stared up and down at me.
I blushed again, feeling rather happy about myself just now, before the reason for my return to the Dream came back to me.
My grin and blush faded away, and I looked at the Doll with a mix of determination and sadness.
"I am afraid I require your help to strengthen me once more, dear Doll... the fight I am about to enter will be no easy one." I sighed sadly. "For several reasons..."
The Doll was curious, so I ended telling her about Violetta, about what she asked me to do... and my own "concerns" that Gascoigne had lost himself to the Hunt and the Blood.
To say nothing of Violetta's mother fate, which I made no attempt to hide as anything but... "very likely" grim.
The Doll listened patiently, before sighing in sadness when I was done.
"Oh, Good Hunter... What dreadful burdens that the Hunt require you to shoulder so soon... I know that you have already chosen to bear them of your own free will, but still... Nonetheless, there is hope yet, yes? You have the music Box, surely if it worked before, it will work again?" she asked, and I smiled sadly.
"I can only hope so... but if Viola confronted her husband without it, I fear I may be too late already. I will do what I can... but I can't help but fear the worst." I answered.
For a moment, the two of us remained silent, before the Doll stepped forward and hugged me.
I froze. "Doll...?"
She smiled sadly. "Did I not promise, Good Hunter, not long ago now that I would always be there to soothe your spirit? It is obvious that this situation pains you, and while I admire your compassion... The Hunt has turned what should have been a strength into a weakness. I am no hunter, but even I know that your mind must be at ease and focused if you wish to be able to claim victory against the beasts of Yharnam. So, if for but a moment... forget the Hunt. Forget your duties. Forget what is required of you- for now... simply rest, and take as much time as you need before your return to the Waking World."
I remained frozen for a long, long moment... before relaxing in her embrace, a deep sigh leaving me.
"Thank you." I said softly.
"Always." the Doll replied, equally softly but firmly.
How long I remained there, resting my head on her left shoulder, silently enjoying the hug and the feeling of her fingers running through my dark hair I do not know, but eventually I let out a shuddering breath and stepped back.
The Doll looked at me with concern, but I shook my head firmly and she left it at that.
"On happier news, I met an old Huntress of the Dream by the name of Eileen."
The Doll blinked in surprise before a warm smile appeared on her face.
"Eileen? Yes, she was a Hunter of this Dream, long ago now. Is she doing well?" she asked, concern mixed with joy on her face.
I smiled back. "She is. She told me to pass her greetings to you. Obviously, she remembers you fondly to this day."
The Doll's smile at my words could have outshined the sun, so bright it was.
"Truly? I am so very happy to hear that! I always prays that the Hunters who left the Dream have found joy in the Waking World, but it's good to have proof that at least one did find her worth outside this Dream."
I chuckled, before nodding.
"Indeed. And speaking of worth..."
The Doll nodded. "You wish to strengthen yourself before confronting Gascoigne, I understand. Then close your eyes..."
I did as requested, and once more I focused on my skills- this time, back to my (Axe Wielding Mastery).
Killing my way through more beasts had helped me levels it up to level (38). With 7500 Blood Echoes...
My skill with an Axe was now at level (53).
I grinned. I was officially better than most people! Sure, I was by no means a veteran or a master, but at least I wasn't a noob anymore!
Go me!
I stepped back from the Doll, feeling quite satisfied with my growth in skill and overall deadliness, before taking a deep breath-
Then I froze, blinking as something occurred to me.
I frowned, took my hat in my hand, and looked at it curiously.
Now that I thought about it, how the hell did it never fell off? I certainly had to rolls and jumps around enough that it should have fallen off my head, but nope, here it was, not even a speck of blood or anything on it.
I put it on my head, staring with a thoughtful frown at the dirt path before me... before I rolled forward.
And noticed that yes, against all logic and laws of gravity, my hat was still very much on my head afterwards.
I made some side rolls and even a backward roll, but nope, my hat stubbornly refused to leave my head so long as I didn't take it in my hands.
... Huh. Gamer's logic at work is a hell of a drug for Reality, apparently.
Experiments over to my satisfaction, I turned around-
And froze, staring with wide-eyes at the Doll, her head adorably tilted to the side in obvious confusion as she stared at me with incomprehension.
Ow... my heart, too cute!
"Good Hunter... Is everything alright?" She asked innocently, and my willpower broke faster than my body did when I got crushed by the Cleric Beast.
I hugged her tightly.
"You... are far too cute for words." I grumbled half-heartedly, while mentally shouting stuff like Too cute! or Must Protect!
The Doll blinked.
"... Thank you?"
I looked up, and she graced me with a small smile, obviously confused but happy by the compliment.
I sighed. I never stood a chance, I couldn't help but think in amusement at just how adorable the Doll was.
Then I stepped back, looked at the tombstone which would send me back to Yharnam... and sighed again.
"Wish me luck, Doll- I've got a bad feeling about this one."
The Doll smiled. "Good luck, Good Hunter. I can only hope your fears will not come to pass."
I nodded grimly. "You and me both, dear Doll. You and me both..."
I stepped up to the tombstone. To Yharnam and the Hunt I returned...
And this time, there was no anticipation of a good hunt, no joy at knowing I will keep growing stronger still.
There was only the weight of Duty and the expectations of a Hunter on the Hunt.
And heavy indeed was their weight on my shoulders.
I stared at the courtyard before me, the tall form of Father Gascoigne in the distance.
Father Gascoigne- Church Hunter.
Level 60
I was already grimacing- I could see his axe rising and falling over and over again on a corpse, blood and gore spreading around him like a horrific parody of a puddle, bloodstains covering much of his body.
That did not speak well of his sanity... Or what was left of it.
For a long moment, I remained there, trying to gather the willpower to start walking.
With a trembling hand, I reached into my Inventory, taking out for the first time the Flower within.
Watching it shine brilliantly for a time, I then took a long whiff of it, my eyes never leaving it's white radiance.
"Give me strength, dear Doll." I whispered softly.
Then I put it back in my Inventory, taking out the music box instead.
With one last sigh, I began to walk forward.
Father Gascoigne's Axe fell one last time on the corpse of the mutilated beast at his feet, before he slowly began to turn around, his bloodstained hands tightly gripping his weapons.
"Beasts all over the shop... You'll be one of them, sooner or later..."
He snarled in my direction, looking more like a flesh-hungry beast than a holy man, and my heart sank.
The message that I had gained (1) Insight at the sight of him did not help.
BOSS BATTLE
FATHER GASCOIGNE
Neither did this.
"Gascoigne! Stop! Think of your daughters! Think of Violetta and Vanessa!" I shouted, quickly using the music box, hoping that both the names of his daughters and the music would bring something, anything out of the madman before me.
He stopped running towards me, recoiling hard and away from me, one hand going to his head, and I could see him whispering something.
For a moment, I dared to hope... and then he snarled, looking back at me with animalistic rage.
My blood seemingly turned to ice, my heart sinking in my chest. True, it had been a long shot, but damn it I owed it to his daughters to try!
I snarled back, focusing on running and dodging his attacks rather than trying to fight back, tightly clutching the music box in my left hand.
"Damn it Gascoigne! Think of your daughters! You have two adorable little girls waiting for you back home! They are waiting, praying for their Daddy to come home and back to them! Please!" I screamed, quickly turning the music box back on.
Again, he staggered backwards, his face twisting with pain, his hands trembling.
Then a few seconds later he violently shook his head and howled in rage, returning to his madness and trying even harder to kill me.
I grimaced, it was taking everything I had to keep dodging the blows of his axe or, worst, his gunshots.
Again, I turned the music box back on, pleading for him to see reason.
"Are you really going to abandon your daughters?! They need their father! In this city full of beasts and madmen, will you really leave them all alone, at the mercy of monsters?! Please, Gascoigne! Please remember who you are! For their sake, I beg of you!" I shouted, my voice breaking at the end.
Yet again, he recoiled, his hands going to his head, agony twisting his features.
"Shut up Shut up SHUT UP! DIE, FOUL BEAST!" he screamed, howling like a mad beast himself, before charging at me with even greater fury than ever before.
Again, I tried to use the music box... but this time, he didn't even slow down, running towards me with animalistic rage and bloodlust in his every step.
Surprised by the lack of reaction to the music, I dodged too late- and his axe finally slammed down on me, the majority of my HP leaving me in one blow, leaving me gasping in pain.
Gascoigne's Axe rose and fell again, and this time it sank in my torso, my warm blood bathing us both in red.
And as I fell to my knees, gazing up at Gascoigne with tears-filled eyes and blood falling from my wounds and mouth, I saw him smile in gleeful satisfaction.
"The sweet Blood, oh, it sings to me..."
The music box fell from my limp fingers.
Gascoigne's Axe fell on my skull soon after.
I woke up.
Tightly clutched in my left hand, the music box remained, silent and useless.
For a long moment, I gazed silently at the sky of the Hunter's Dream, my mind numb.
Then, with a deep, heaving sigh, I rose to my feet, silently staring at the music box in my hand.
Silently staring at the representation of a broken family, of shattered hopes and dreams of good, loving people who only desired to lived happy, peaceful lives.
I gently put it in my Inventory, before closing my eyes, my shoulders droping in grief- both for the sake of a family who deserved better... and for mine, who now needed to do my Duty as a Hunter.
I walked up to the tombstone, my steps heavy, the Doll perking up at seeing me... before wilting, her own shoulders dropping in sadness as I shook my head in sorrow.
My already broken heart shattered further at the sight, the price of my own failure at pulling off a miracle already staring back at me... and I had yet to kill Gascoigne and tell his daughters of their parents death.
I focused on the Tombstone, and a second later I was back in Yharnam.
Trying desperately to not focus on the wetness of my cheeks and the blurriness of my vision.
Once again, I stood before Gascoigne.
This time, I had (Gamer's Mind) up and working at full blast, allowing me to stare at him with naught but the cold stare of a killer sizing his prey.
If nothing else, having focused on dodging as much as I had had allowed me to build up a good understanding of his fighting style, attacks patterns and more.
The moment he saw me, he charged, lips curled into a bloodthirsty snarl, his form trembling with dark glee at one more foe to kill standing before him.
I dodged his gunshot, using the second of time where he focused on reloading his gun to fire my own.
He still avoided most of it, but his snarl turned slightly pained as his left shoulder took a glancing hit.
Running towards me, he raised his axe, and I just barely dodged out of the way, my own axe flashing and scoring a deep cut on his already injured shoulder.
He screamed in pain and rage, whirling towards me with surprising speed, his axe scoring a harsh blow across my torso.
I stumbled but reacted quickly, my gun going up and successfully firing straight at his center mass.
This time, it was he who stumbled, and I ran, swiftly putting my gun in Inventory before I grinned grimly as I successfully performed a visceral attack on him.
To his credit, he quickly got back to his feet after that, sniffling the air and licking his lips in delight.
"The sweet Blood, oh, it sings to me... It's enough to make a man sick."
I grimaced. The last time he said that was about my blood, but now it was about his own, but it didn't even seem to matter to him.
I charged again, and for a few, confusing moments the two of us were locked in a brutal melee, but my inexperience finally showed itself when, with a complex twist of his axe, he successfully managed to throw mine across the courtyard.
I barely had enough time to start cursing before I had the distinct (dis)pleasure of learning what dying to a visceral attack felt like.
Needless to say, it ranked firmly amongst the highest "Worst, most painful deaths" list I had begun to put together since my arrival at Yharnam.
Whoever came up with the saying that "Turnabout is fair-play" quite obviously never died feeling and watching their internal organs being violently rearranged to the outside of one's body before their helpless eyes.
Ow.
I woke up.
Shuddered at my last death's memories.
Then grimly returned to the courtyard where Gascoigne awaited.
This time, I played things differently, making use of the various tombstones around us to better dodge and avoid his blows, before returning fire with my gun and throwing molotov cocktails at him.
Eventually, I got lucky and made him stagger, and while I was behind a tombstone and thus in no position to visceral attack Gascoigne, I most definitely enjoyed throwing a molotov cocktail straight at him.
Too staggered to dodge, Gascoigne could not evade this one, and he screamed in agony as the bottle smashed on his torso and he caught fire.
What happened next however... even (Gamer's Mind) couldn't fully stop my shock and horror as Gascoigne, in an orgy of blood and gore, exploded into an horrific beast, whose maddened howl chilled my blood like ice in my veins.
Worse still, was that I could see the remnant of the Man's [Humanity] falling, screaming in horror, into the hungry maw of his inner [Beast], before that monstrous Abomination turned to stare at me with endless, all-consuming [Hunger] for more [Blood] in it's eyes.
The True Sight of Gascoigne's Damnation would forever haunt me, I knew, and for a long, seemingly eternal moment I could only stare with wide, shell-shocked eyes at the Beast before me.
And then I snarled, pure [Fury] radiating off me like fire, my skill (Calm Hatred) kicking in as I glared at the... the... the Monstrous BEAST before me who Damned a good man and his family to grief and loss with absolute rage.
"Die!" I hissed, before charging the Beast, my hands clenching my weapons so hard they almost started to break the wood on them.
What followed was hardly a contest of skill, but truly one of sheer brutality and rage, where I relied on [Rally] to carry me through each and every blows from that Beast.
But I barely felt them. Even as my (Physical Resistance) and (Pain Resistance) skills kept leveling up, even as blows after blows decreased my health, I kept slashing, kept firing, kept on fighting and kicking and punching and even smashed my gun in the Abomination's face to gain me a few more seconds.
And eventually, eventually I stood, exhausted but in triumph over the broken corpse of the Beast, my body covered head to toe with his blood and organs, before it, like the Cleric Beast before it, exploded in Sliver Light and Mist, it's Blood Echoes flowing into me.
PREY SLAUGHTERED
Staring at the message, I just... I did not know how to feel.
Was I supposed to be proud for making two girls orphans this day? Sad for giving mercy to a man who could have only found peace in death?
In the end, without the comforting fire of my [Hatred of Beast] burning in my veins, I felt only... hollow.
I had triumphed. Done my duty as a Hunter. Put down the Beast.
But at what cost?
I sighed, closing my eyes in exhaustion- both physical and emotional.
Finally, I opened them again, looking at the various messages from the Game.
I had gained (3200) Blood Echoes from Gascoigne's death, and my [Insight] was now at (12).
I further obtained "Oedon's Tomb" key, and a (50) Stats points disk for Vit.
Oh, and I was now level (38), which meant I had enough points for the all (100) stats perk... though I was going to worry about that later.
For now, I activated the Lamp which had appeared in the middle of the courtyard, went up the stairs on my right... and walked up to where I knew the corpse of Violetta's mother would be.
And I as feared, here it was, the Red Jeweled Brooch still shining brightly on her.
I let out a deep sigh, taking it my right hand, before gently putting it in my Inventory.
Then I carefully took Viola's mother body, walked down the stairs, took a shovel that was nearby, and dug two graves in the cold, hard ground of the courtyard.
One I filled with Gascoigne's Axe and gun, the other with Viola's body. Considering the number of graves around me, it was hardly like it couldn't take two more- and this was supposed to be a chapel anyway.
Beside, I refused to let Violetta's mother body just rotting on the ground, so digging up two graves it was.
Finding some wood nearby, I carved in the names of the deceased on them, before putting them at the top of the graves.
Nodding in grim satisfaction at my work, I then walked up the stairs again, this time to open up the Gates to Oedon's chapel.
A few minutes later, I finished going up a ladder and was finally within the safe haven that was Oedon chapel.
I found a note about the Byrgenwerth spider, followed by a chest that held the (Blood Gems Workshop Tool), which I put with a small smile in my Inventory.
Then I went up more stairs, opened the doors in my way... And took in the sight of Oedon Chapel from the inside with a wide, satisfied smile.
My gaze then fell on the chapel dweller, who was looking up at me with wide eyes.
"... Hmm? Oh... You must be... a Hunter." he exclaimed. "Very sorry, the incense must have masked your scent. Good, good. I've been waiting for one of your ilk. These Hunts have everyone all locked up inside. Waiting for it to end... It always does, always has, y'know. Since forever. But it won't end very nicely, not this time. Even some folk hiding inside are goin' bad. The screams of wimminfolk, the stench of blood, the snarls of beasts... None of em's too uncommon now. Yharnam's done fer, I tell ya!" he exclaimed.
"But if you spot anyone with their wits about 'em, tell 'em about this here Oedon Chapel. They'll be safe here. The incense wards off the beasts. Spread the words... Tell 'em to come on over. If you wouldn't mind... Hee hee..." And then he began laughing creepily.
I held back a sigh. I swear, this city...
"Alright. Speaking of which..." I looked further ahead, staring somewhat bemusedly at the old lady in her chair. I mean, I was the one who sent her here, and I knew that there were more entrances to the Chapel than the one I took, but how...?
"Oh, this old woman came not too long ago now, grumbling about useless Hunters and damned beasts..." the dweller explained, before his eyes went wide. "Not that there's anything wrong with being a hunter! I'm sure you are doing everything to protect this city... Yes, everything... Hee hee..."
I shook my head, deciding to follow Gherman's advice- don't think too hard about all of this.
Then I walked up the Lamp in the middle of the Chapel, activated it, and seconds later I was back in the Hunter's Dream.
Upon which I made a beeline for the Doll, embracing her so quickly she didn't even have the time to say her usual greetings.
She returned the hug, sighing sadly.
"Welcome home, Good Hunter." she said softly. "I take it things didn't go well with Violetta's parents?"
I shook my head silently, finally letting go of (Gamer's Mind) and letting the storm within me break out at last.
I promptly started sobbing, feeling thoroughly unclean in a way far deeper than merely physically at the knowledge that I played a part in robbing Violetta and her sister of their father.
I knew, logically, that I tried, that there was nothing more that I could have done once the music box stopped working... but emotions aren't based on logic, and it felt horrible to have murdered the father of two young girls, one of which had specifically entrusted me with bringing her parents back to her.
And so, for a long, long time I cried, here in the safety of the Doll's arms- for the sake of the two orphans I created, for my own for my part in this tragic tale, and for Gascoigne's own as the memories of his screams of horror as his inner beast feasted upon his very Humanity from the inside out refused to leave my mind.
As for the Doll, she held me in her arms... and, softly, began singing.
Eventually, as my tears stopped and my eyes began to close, I heard her softly speak.
"Oh, Good Hunter... My brave, strong Hunter... O Flora, of the moon, of the dream... O Little Ones, O fleeting will of the ancients... Let the Hunter be safe, let him find comfort. And let this dream, his captor, foretell a pleasant awakening... Be one day, a fond, distant memory..."
My eyes closed.