>be me, bounty hunter anon.
>now dont get the wrong idea, i'm not one of the bigshots.
>small hits here and there, mostly local criminals or runaways.
>and the occasional escort job for "sensitive" assets, usually some local mayor or church leader.
>given that this is in the middle of fantasy land, not too many people out here have guns, and that just makes me the more valuable. 
>what backwards villager wouldnt be impressed by the shooty bangstick ?
>its not even some super modern fagpul tacticool shit, just a surplus K31.
>still impresses the locals.
>most they've seen is a crossbow if you want to get technical about "guns".
>but its nothing hard, my gun is more than powerful enough for anything so far.
>but for now, its just tavern time, and spending my hard earned cash on food and bedding.
>walking into the slick snake, the maid at the counter knows me instantly.
>her golden locks bounce slightly turning to face me, face lighting up with joy.
>"hey anon, just taking a seat ?".
>"heh, you know me too well cindy".
>cindy's been like family to me ever since i got here, especially after helping them with some "problems".
>she and her old man run this tavern, its been my staying place of about a year now ever since...well.
>"that" event happened.
>i still get shudders from the day it took place.
>but thats past me now, with my days being filled with the thrill of the hunt and good food.
>at least until i can find something more permenant.
>one on hand i dont want to take more dangerous bounties, those are for the big hitters, not some random with a gun.
>sure its advanced, but we're talking guys with magic swords and armor blessed by gods.
>some college loser with a milsurp rifle cant hold a candle to them.
>and i dont want to settle down in some boring village doing what ? bartending ? that'd be no better than where i was back home.
>uhhhggggg.
>maybe that is my fate after this temporary gig.
>some boring job just like back home.
>something that kills your brain cells.
>leaning back in my seat, the realization that this adventure can only last so long dawns on me.
>i mean sure its a nice gig, if its only you and for a single room.
>but how long can this go on for ? till i'm 30 ? 40 ?
>adventurers dont live long, unless they are some kind of superhuman.
>looking around from my seat the place is starting to crowd up a bit.
>thank god this place isnt too seedy, mostly really wholesome types from close around.
>there's not any risk of a fight here, unless its beastmen trying to outdo each other to impress the females lmao.
>maybe tomorrow i'll try something different, when the time comes.
>but life here is pretty good, if not a bit wild.
>retiring to my room for the night, the thought of going back home crosses my mind once.
>what would happen if i did ?
>surely its a death wish with the state of the world at the moment, and these otherworlders have been so kind to me. 
>it would be a shame to leave them right now...
>retiring my gear to the chest in the room, i flop headfirst into bed, while dreams of life back home come back to me.
 
 
>*BANG BANG BANG*
>the sound of fists slamming on on the door wakes me from my slumber.
>"ay hey hey i got it.." i say while groggely stumbling to the door.
>slowly opening it, i'm instead met with a hand over my mouth and 3 cloaked figures. 
>pushing me back into the room, they quickly shut it, before locking it and taking position inside the room.
>"sorry for the intrusion mate, but we had to make sure".
>under their masks and cloaks, worried and on-edge eyes look around the room, as if they are being watched.
>"just what the hell is going on ?! you barg into my ro-".
>"SHHHHHHHH!" their leader hushes back at me.
>"their spies could be anywhere..".
>ok this is just confusing.
>clearly they must have me confused for someone else.
>as the others are perched at different parts of the room in an almost owl like fashion, their leader directs them with hand signals.
>i guess it means the coast is clear, as they seem to relax and take position behind the "main" guy.
>he pulls up a chair to the bed, sitting in it backwards to face me.
>"this may seem very sudden, we dont have much time to explain. all we need to know is if you're in".
>what.
>what the fuck ?
>"uh...you must have me confused with someone else sir, i have no idea whats going on".
>"no, not really. we know exactly who you are, anon".
>oh god they know my name.
>"names gregor, but thats not important right now".
>the man than takes off the concealing cloak, showing his scared and bearded face.
>god damn he's old, must be at least over 50.
>"we've been watching you for a bit lad, about maybe 6 months now, aint that right vincent ?".
>the other cloaked figure nods in gragors diraction.
>"we know you're an outlander, in possession of a..what do you folk call it...a "gun" perhaps ?".
>this sends a shock down my spine.
>i should have tried to lay under the radar more.
>"uhhh...whos asking ?" i reply nervously.
>gregor expression changes, almost to a sign of relief, and then uncertainty.
>he looks back to the other two men, as if to get their approval.
>they must have done something, because gregor turns back to face me, a look of seriousness all over him.
>"me and the people i serve have a job for you".


>"so wait, let me get this straight. you want me, a nobody, to transport royalty ?".
>these guys have to be crazy.
>"we have no other choices, the situations become dire".
>"and i was literally the only one you dudes were able to find ?".
>they look to each other for a second, clearly confused by my wording. 
>"you must understand. a thousand years ago, our kingdom went to war with the high elves. it was costly, and we lost. rather than be hunted down like rats, we shut ourselves off from the world, sealing away our kingdom".
>"ok, and where does this heir come into the picture ?" i reply.
>gregor turns to the others, seemingly to mouth "should we tell him ?".
>they nod, and he turns back to me.
>"our royal family is all either dead or missing, and we have found the last heir outside our kingdom. we have no idea how they got out, or when, but its of the upmost importance that they are delivered as soon as possible".
>hmmm
>seems easy enough...but..
>"why is it so urgent ? is there something else i should know ?".
>their faces are becoming more worried by the moment.
>"..dark forces are gathering...following us even...certain parties, even the high elves, still seek to destroy old problems".
>oh...
>well shit, its a damned if i do damned if i dont thing.
>if i say yes, i risk death and worse, plus involving myself in high affairs, and drawing attention to myself.
>but saying no would mean i condemn a people to ruin.
>arghhhh.
>...
>they coudnt find any other guy for this ?
>looking up at them, i make my answer.
>"when's the soonest we leave ?".
>they seem relieved by this answer, as if they expected me to say no.
>"tonight actually, you two must move under the blanket of night".
>"and where's the goods i have to deliver ?" i say with sarcasm. 
>"well, they're actually already here. we've had to keep them hidden and under wraps, as to not alert our enemy of their identity".

play this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fYGxqvWl0U&list=PLUQ-WgoSZj-KeoBkVii9p2XNFKEMX_vJM&index=27

>vincent, the other dragoon, turns towards the door before peaking it, talking to someone on the other side in hushed whispers.
>opening the door and bowing, he lets in a frail figure, concealed by a large brown cloak. 
>in fact, the only part you can see of them, are their unnatural purple eyes, almost like that of a crystal.
>creepy.
>gragor and the third dragoon move towards vincent, before bowing besides the cloaked figure.
>"lady luna, we have found him".
>wait.
>LADY ?.
>the cloaked figure lets down their hood and wraps, revealing a very pale and skinny girl, her hair as pale as she is.
>she walks up to me, making it very clear how tall she actually is.
>"who art thou outlander ?" she asks me meekly
>"i'm uh..anon".
>"and it is thee that shall guide me ?".
>wat.
>"i guess so haha".
>non of them find it funny.
>shockingly she bows before me now, offering her hand up to me.
>"then i entrust thine life to thee, please guard thee well".
>gregor eyes me down, motioning for me to take her hand.
>cupping hers in mine, i bring her up to her feet.
>"i will, dont worry, this will be done soon enough".
>how the hell did i get caught up in this ?


>"seven, eight..hmm, only eight left huh.."
>only 8 clips left.
>gonna need more soon but...
>the sun setting outside has me thinking things.
>...
>am i really am doing this ?
>helping these people with some kind of "chosen one" journey ?
>in hindsight maybe i shouldnt have boasted so much around town as an "expert bounty hunter".
>i mean its not like i didnt do anything, but to say that i had to actually fight would be an overstatement.
>delivering someone as important as royalty is not on the same level as delivering a drunk to the drunk tank.
>what if i fuck up an-
>..no..
>i cant let thoughts like that get in my head.
>besides these guys seem like they know what they're doing.
>they have to be more skilled than i am.
>the princess seemed kind of weird though.
>something about her just...felt off.
>maybe it was just her way of talking or...
>why ?
>arghhhh
>just too many questions.
>why cant they take her ?
>why does it have to be me ? i didnt want this kind of burden.
>maybe i should have been more hesitant, or at least made them answer some things before i accepted.
>a knock on the door breaks me out of my thoughts.
>"anon, the time is now. get ready".
>"oh, i thought the time was in the morning ?".
>"change of plans, we leave now".
>he doesnt have to tell me twice, as i start grabbing my gear.
>its not much, but its what works here.
>k31, bandolier with stripper clips, and basic iron breastplate.
>like i said, its not much but its more than enough for here. 
>leaving my room i make my way with gregor towards another room.
>he told me this was so they spread apart where the target could be in the event anyone was searching.
>walking in, the other two dragoons are in the middle of putting on their gear.
>darkened black iron armor, hooks and points sticking out at odd angles.
>helmets with a visor that resembles the hooked beak of a predator, backswept horns dotting the sides.
>and finally, massive spears with barbed points, clearly made for killing large creatures. 
>this is not what i expected.
>"he ready yet ?" on of them asks.
>"yeah he's ready, we move in a few minutes" gregor answers for me.
>"uh, so wait, whats the plan then ? why are we moving so fast ?" i pip in.
>this is moving way to fast for me to understand.
>"spies caught wind of our scent, we have to move sooner than expected".
>wait wait wait wait.
>"uuhhh excuse me ?"
>this is not what i signed up for.
>"you heard me, high elves know we're here, we have to move now".
>oh shit
>"wait why now though ? you told me the war was a long time ago ?"
>"yeah, and elves dont forget conflicts easy".
>peeking through the windows, he turns back and motions for the others to move towards the door.
>"the night will black us out, but we need to be swift, less they find us before before then".
>"so what happens now ?" i ask. 
>no way i'm just gonna wing this shit, way too risky.
>"anon nows you're time to shine, you take luna out the backdoor and through the woods, me and the other dragoons will follow from above".
>"above ?".
>"yes above. now go, we're wasting time".
>this whole time luna has been completely silent, by herself in the corner playing with her fingers aimlessly.
>"luna, its time to go. you ready yet ?".
>she looks up from her hood, eyes still as cold and emotionless as always. 
>"as you wish.." she says, before reaching out.
>oh i guess she means for me to take her hand.
>how royal.
>*DING* *DONG*
>"the hell, whats making that ?!" gregor says, clearly alarmed".
>"thats...thats the troll bell...".
>"TO THE ROOF DECK".
>they begin quickly rushing up the flight of stairs, leaving us behind.
>"c'mon lets go, cant keep them waiting right ?".
>maybe some light joking will warm her up.
>"i suppose..".
>and proven wrong.
>taking her hand i rush us both up the flight behind the dragoons.
>finally getting up to the roof, we're all met with the view of the entire town, most of its inhabitants rushing outside at the sound of the alarm.
>"ANON YOU LIVE HERE, FILL US IN".
>"i dont know whats going on, normally trolls havent attacked this place in years, that bell is a relic".
>to be fair though, as soon as people like me became more common, common pests like trolls and hobgoblins became a lot less of an issue.
>"wait, sir gragor, look".
>luna points off in the distance, and we all see what looks like a man on the hilltop overlooking the village.
>"what the hell...?".
>the man makes a quick motion, a massive thunderclap following.
>and just like that, the man is consumed by a ball of light so bright, it lights up the night sky, making it bright as day.
>arcs fly off the orb, splitting trees and setting the ground alight.
>"you've got to be fucking kidding me" gregor says under his breath, speechless at the event witnessed.
>out from the orb is the skeleton of a beast, its bones flying outward before the muscle and sinew grow over it.
>at last the monster is complete, overlooking the village like a demon.
>"AAAAHHHHHHHHHHH !" the creature screams, splitting the silence of the night.
>from beyond the tree's we finally see them, massive trolls and hobgoblins, giant ones.
>their eyes glowing from the treeline, as if under some kind of spell.
>"no...it cant be..." luna wimpers.
>"afritah....".





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