Chapter 10: Hunter's Style, Without a Doubt
Bang, bang, bang!
Germain looked toward the other end of the illuminated hallway.
The third assassin unleashed five more Nen Spheres from his arms. They ricocheted between the narrow walls, homing in on Germain.
It seemed the man could only fire five at a time, leaving a brief pause to reload between volleys.
That made things easier.
Germain made his musket vanish from his left hand, grabbed the assassin whose throat he'd already slit by the back of the neck, lifted him, and used him as a shield.
Two of the Nen Sphereswhizzed past, while the remaining three struck the corpse with dull thuds plop, plop, plop piercing its head, chest, and left leg.
Now!
Germain tossed the body aside, crouched low, and charged toward the third assassin.
As expected, the assassin couldn't fire continuously.
He wrapped himself in his black cloak like a vampire. Seeing Germain rushing toward him, a look of pure terror crossed his face as if he'd just seen sunlight for the first time.
Trembling, the assassin pulled a pistol from his pocket and tried to aim. Just then, a strange crack echoed the cleaver in Germain's hand elongated, doubling in length in an instant.
In a blink, the two were only a few steps apart.
Bang! The assassin fired in panic.
Germain ducked to the lower right, the bullet grazing past as his cleaver swung upward in a brutal arc.
Slash! The assassin's hands those holding the pistol were severed cleanly.
Ah… ahhhhhhhh!
The pistol and the severed hand hit the floor. The man clutched his bleeding stump, screaming in terror.
The muzzle of Germain's musket pressed against his abdomen.
Without hesitation, Germain pulled the trigger.
Bang.
The screams stopped instantly.
The assassin collapsed, his body folding at the waist like torn paper split almost in two.
Definitely dead.
Only one remained.
Tap, tap, tap…
Germain heard footsteps echo down the corridor.
He now stood on the bright side of the hallway. Turning toward the shadowed end, he saw several silhouettes swaying in the dark.
A quick count eight figures: the innkeeper, the two dead assassins, and five guests.
They staggered like zombies, but the moment they saw Germain, their movements sharpened they sprinted toward him.
Is the last one the Operations Unit member? Could he be hiding among these eight?
Musket in his left hand, cleaver in his right, Germain didn't rush forward.
Without finding the true one, fighting puppets would only expose his weaknesses.
Then, he felt it.
His eyes snapped toward the staircase to the second floor.
A small head with blonde twin tails peeked from the steps. When she realized she'd been seen, she came out timidly, hands on hips, smiling.
It was Biscuit.
Germain lowered his cleaver and musket.
Biscuit waved innocently and approached.
Still not done with your enemies? Need a hint ?
Bang!
Without a second's hesitation, Germain raised his musket and fired.
Little Biscuit's eyes widened in disbelief. She stumbled back like a broken doll, crimson pooling beneath her.
Puff, puff, puff…
The eight controlled bodies collapsed instantly, motionless. The few who were still alive froze, confused.
Germain didn't even glance back. His eyes stayed fixed on Biscuit's crumpled form watching as her skeleton distorted, swelling into the torso of a small man.
The short man clutched his shattered chin blown off by the musket with both hands. He couldn't form words, only gurgled in shock and fear.
Germain stared at the face for a moment… then remembered.
Back by the shore, he'd seen this man in the crowd watching Biscuit 's theatrics.
So inconspicuous no one would've guessed he was the leader of a four-man assassination squad.
Disguise was his specialty.
Why had he chosen to impersonate Biscuit ?
Because the real Biscuit was a well-known Hunter in the Association.
The leader had recognized her after a few glances but, afraid of being wrong, had verified her identity through the dark web. While tracking Germain and Biscuit , he never got close enough to overhear their conversation but noticed their friendly interaction.
That led him to assume they were allies.
It wasn't uncommon for Hunters to cooperate with people from the dark world for specific purposes.
And since his build was similar to Biscuit 's, the assassin decided to disguise himself as her to approach Germain unnoticed.
Unexpectedly, Germain had been one step ahead.
Still, the assassin couldn't comprehend where his deception had failed.
Germain had no reason to explain.
He raised his musket, aimed at the man's head, and fired through the hands raised to block the shot.
Bang.
The leader's skull burst open like a shattered egg. He fell backward, lifeless.
The hunt was over.
Germain had won.
Pa, pa, pa…
A slow clap echoed from his room.
Then, the real Biscuit emerged from the shadows, as serene and composed as ever.
She smiled faintly, clapping her lace-gloved hands with approval.
After a brief chuckle, she tilted her head.
So, how did you know it was an impostor? I almost thought he'd fooled you.
I didn't, Germain said simply. I just knew there was a fourth one, part of the operations team, and nearby.
At that point, I decided whoever came close I'd shoot.
And it just happened to be 'you'.
Biscuit nodded, amused.
She touched her lips with one finger and asked softly, Then… what if the one who came was really me?
If it were you, Germain said evenly, I wouldn't have been able to hit you anyway.
He knew well the gap in power between them.
Even though Biscuit was in her fifties past her prime she was far from weak.
I see… Biscuit nodded again, smiling.
Patience, calm, resolve… and not blinded by the kill. You truly are a Hunter.
She glanced at the trembling survivors at the end of the hallway, then sighed.
Seems like we can't stay here anymore. Let's find another place to rest.
Wait.
Germain holstered his weapons.
He didn't mind following Biscuit something interesting might come from it but he had one more thing to do first.
Under her curious gaze, he crouched and searched the leader's corpse, pulling out several thousand Jenny.
Short on cash? Biscuit raised an eyebrow.
Not bad, Germain replied, checking the other bodies. Expenses are bound to rise soon. Better be prepared.
Gathering the spoils over twenty thousand Jenny he whistled softly before pocketing it all.
(End of Chapter 10)