17 First Demon Hunt: Luring The Anomaly/Assailant (6)

"Well, while the father-son pair was rescued by one of our hunters, the boss and the rest of our party join me in distracting the creature. It would be easier to take it down no question ask with our group size. Everyone in the town would of love for us to just kill the demon due to the fact it killed so many of their townspeople, which unfortunately includes that young boy's friend. However, we as hunters, do not like resulting to killing as a way to dispose of demons. In many case a demon will only kill due to hunger or because they felt threaten. A majority of them, although, kill for the fun of it. In this case, he was only killing the people that came into the forest. He did not enter any of the nearby towns, remaining strictly inside the forest. It did not kill just to kill, but kill to survive, so we only lead it away from the populated area with humans, to a place where there was a lot of wildlife and lower class demons.

For a demon hunter we look at the bigger picture and try to relate with our target. We did not kill it because we as humans are no different in terms of survival. We journey away from our home to trade with other villages or towns. We also use the surrounding forests to search for meat to add to our dinner table. In the world we live in, its either we die or they die, surviving is the main and only objective for any living species," the older hunter concluded in a straightforward manner.

"It's sad that some many people died, but at least the father-son pair and many more lives was saved by your organization efforts," uttered Libbey as she sighed with relief.

"Hmm. I am not fully convinced, but I do understand your way of thinking. I too believe that the way of survival determines on how far one will go for survive. I too only kill for food and not for the fun of it. The head hunter in our village sicken me, due to the fact that he sees hunting as a leisure activity instead of a source of survival. Anyway, enough of my ranting…. what is your honest opinion, considering the situation that we are in?" Cain questioned the two hunter firmly.

"Young Miss, this is your mission, would you like to answer his question?" suggested the older hunter, then he leaned back in his seat to look at the young woman beside him.

Artemis at that moment was in the middle of stuffing her face with an apple that was part of the refreshments that Libbey had brought. She had already finished the cup of tea a long time ago and felts a bit lunchy. She nodded her head at her uncle as she finished chewing before answering. "Sure, I believe you are dealing with a trickster demon. A trickster demon is a type of creature that loves to bring misfortune and discord towards certain humans. Some likes leading humans to their deaths. Some like playing harmless tricks on them. While others like to conduct themselves in ways that brings joy to them, but calamity to humans. I believe your situation is the third option," said the young female hunter in a steadily voice, while marking direct eye contact with the hairy lumberjack.

Silence temporary befall the room as if the three villagers were taken in what they heard the young female hunter's explanation. The first to respond in accordance was Libbey. "Oh! So, our lives are not in danger?"

"Correct. If they wanted your village women to die, they would not have return them back to the village. They also would not have wiped their memories... I am quite curious why would they wipe their memories, though. A trickster would want their target to be aware of their presence, so that it would slowly make the victim become distracted, scared, withdrawn, and ultimately depressed. Also, it seems that each person only goes missing once, which is strange as well." the young female hunter answered, then she continued talking as if she was only talking to herself.

"It seems the village itself is their target, more so than just one person. I am also curious to know what type of demon we are dealing with," responded the older hunter, while stroking his chin.

"Okay…. then what do you need from me and my daughter?" inquired Cain, whom was now sitting forward in his chair.

"Cain, we need the use of your house as the base of our operation. Artemis is willing to be your daughter's stand in." replied Nate as he looked at his old friend, then slightly gestured to the young female hunter after he said her name.

Cain's mind went blink for a moment. He was not expecting such a suggestion. "You are willing to be capture by the mysterious assailant?" probed the lumberjack as he looked at the young lass in shock.

"Yes, Sir. I was the one that suggested the idea of standing in as bait to lure in the demon. I am willing to be capture to protect your daughter's purity," Artemis responded straightforwardly.

"Dear child what about you? I don't want your father or your husband to blame our village if something was to happen to you," Cain said with concern as his expression soften as if he was looking at his own child.

"The young Miss is unmarried and her father would exterminate the whole demon clan not your village. Also, the young Miss is not a delicate flower. She can handle herself quite well," the older hunter declared with the utmost confident in his niece.

Cain sighed then asked reluctantly. "Alright. Then tell us what we can do to help?"

"Like they said, Artemis will replace Libbey and Libbey if you don't mind, it would be best to stay at the village elder's home for the time being until the creature is caught," responded Nate.

"Father…." Libbey frowned as she looked at her father. She was a bit unhappy about letting Artemis take her place. She was not afraid of being the next victim, but she also knew her father well. If it was not for the fact that the hunters suggest this type of plan, he would be fully against the idea. He would be even more against it, if she was the bait instead of Artemis.

"Libbey, my dear, you are my only kin left. I'm not sure what I will do if something ever happens to you. Stay at the village elder's home until this case is solve. It should be the safest home in the village, since it was target once already, " Cain said in a calm and fatherly tone. His tone was so clear and sincere, that everyone present could feel his utmost concern for her safety.

"Your father is correct. None of the victims have went missing for a second time. The creatures seem to be aware of which house have a young lady within them, as well as how many are in each house. I'll be watching over the people inside the village elder's home," the older hunter relayed in a reassured tone, in accordance to what the lumberjack said.

"What about Artemis? Shouldn't you be watching over my home instead, since she will be here?" Libbey asked anxiously, while looking at Artemis. Her concern for the young female hunter was that of a friend that she known for years. She did not regard her as a stranger, even though, this was there first time meeting.

"No. She will be fine. She already has someone watching over her," assured the old hunter as he looked at the young lady.

Libbey looked at both hunters with a confused expression. Seeing only the two of them, she thought they were the only two hunter in their village at the moment. Was there another hunter somewhere nearby? So, she regathered her thoughts and asked a different question. "Sir, is there another hunter hidden in the woods or maybe in the village."

Bruce shook his head 'no' and opened his mouth to explain, but was interrupted by a question from his young Miss.

"Mr. Cain, do you like animals?" Artemis asked as she looked at the hairy lumberjack.

"I don't hate animals. I have an unspoken understanding with wildlife. If I don't bother them, they won't bother me," Cain answered honestly.

"Would you mind if I invite one to come inside your home?" Artemis asked politely as she stood up.

"Hmmm...," Cain thought for a minute before agreeing. "Alright. Invite them in?"

Artemis walked over to the door that they came in through and used her fingers to register a loud whistle.

About three minutes later, a large size wolf stood in front of the young women with great patience as it waited for further instructions.

Artemis smiled happily at her furball as she gently brushed his fur. After patting her furball a few times, she gestured for him to head inside with her.

The furball walked inside the cabin, following closely behind his benefactor. Once the young female hunter returned to the living room, she sat back down in her spot. The furball, who was closely behind her, ignored everyone in the room except the elder hunter. He made eye contact with the young girl's elder, before laying down by her feet.