Chapter #61

AN: Fight scenes! One of my many weaknesses!

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"So, you really didn't come and sit beside me because of the contract I posted?" Sabrina asked for the third time.

"Yes, I am here for the Succubus but she didn't have a contract on her head. So I am basically free for the next week, how may I help?" Zeno sighed before shifting the topic.

Sabrina looked genuinely surprised and held no ill intentions towards him as far as Zeno could tell. His Isu DNA still allowed him an edge when it came to conversations and generally anything that needs keen instincts.

"Wonderful, I might buy some of her hair if you kept any but let's go back to my business." Sabrina said before taking a big gulp from her cup, some of the drink spilled and slid to her breasts.

Zeno was unresponsive towards her subtle seduction thanks to his recent encounter, still he filed the scene under a special folder in his mind.

"Well, the thing is that there is a Basilisk I have been tracking down. It is quite young too, I am sure you can handle it. What do you say?" Sabrina explained.

Zeno narrowed his eyes a little at her casualness, she spoke like she didn't need help but still wanted to have a witcher with her.

Though it might be her taking precautions, Zeno still wanted to get to the bottom of it.

"Hmm, a young Basilisk shouldn't be a problem for you. Especially if you get some help from your master and the other court mages." Zeno spoke.

"Indeed, but I got a bit curious about your kind after hearing how my friend Tetra spoke about the sacking. Big bad witchers coming for us all... How scary isn't it?" Sabrina giggled.

"I see, how is she doing by the way?" Zeno asked.

"Well, she basically lost her powers. Poor thing, she helped me when I was back at Aretuza, so I lended her some of my savings. It is one of the reasons I am hunting this beast." Sabrina said.

"You need money but still have enough to hire a Witcher?" Zeno asked in surprise, not because of her reasoning but because how stupid the question was.

"Huh? Aren't you guys basically working for scraps? Even the best payment you'll get would be nothing to me." Sabrina said Zeno noticed some pity in her tone.

"Well, I guess I skipped that class when they were teaching, or we never got to that part." Zeno chuckled darkly.

He couldn't really admit that he didn't have a better question and ended up asking something stupid.

"I see you're from the latest batch..." Sabrina said with surprise before she started to stroke Zeno's hand. "Don't worry, we have enough time to cover the holes in your education."

"Where's this Basilisk living? Do you know it's hunting patterns are?" Zeno decided to go back to business.

'There will be time for sex later.' He consoled himself in his head.

The art of sleeping with an enchantress is a delicate one, even if it was going to be an one time thing, if done wrongly it may lead to many problems.

"You should relax a bit, you know. Anyway, I know where it's nest is located, we'll camp there." Sabrina said as she got up from her chair.

"When do we leave?" Zeno asked.

"Now." Sabrina grinned before she opened a portal right beneath Zeno's feet.

"Fuck!" Zeno fell as he cursed, following after him was Sabrina's melodious laughter.

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Zeno did a somersault right away and landed on his feet upon leaving the portal.

Meanwhile Sabrina just glided gracefully, the skirt of her dress fluttered giving Zeno a good look at what lies beneath.

"A warning would suffice, also how do you expect me to haul the beast back to the city without a horse and a carriage?" Zeno said grumpily.

For the first time since their conversation Sabrina faltered as a sheepish expression appeared on her face.

"I forgot..." Sabrina said.

Zeno sighed knowing she is basically a fresh graduate from Aretuza. It is pretty expected of someone inexperienced to make such a mistake.

"What are we going to do? I won't have enough to go back and come here again." Sabrina asked.

Zeno sighed again before he closed his eyes and focused on sensing Jean's location. Once he determined the location Zeno turned and took a big breath before he let out a mighty whistle.

"What's that going to accomplish?!" Sabrina asked, her hands were covering her ears.

"I am calling my mare, she's strong enough to haul a young Basilisk." Zeno said before moving on at a pace Sabrina could follow.

He had already smelled the beast and no longer needed Sabrina to guide him, he also no longer trusted her with anything serious.

"Hey! Wait for me!" Sabrina yelled as she caught up with Zeno.

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They have been walking for some time as Sabrina teleported them to some distance before the nest as precaution.

Zeno decided to make some small talk since he was getting bored moving at human pace.

"So, what are you going to do with the Basilisk? It's venom has some uses in alchemy." Zeno said.

"Huh? Yeah, I know but I am not lacking in ingredients for now." Sabrina answered.

"Then why are we hunting this beast? You must want something from it, and don't give me the safety of humanity speech." Zeno asked again.

"Basilisk leather makes good shoes, if you can be precise and with a bit of luck, I might even have enough to make a handbag from the leftovers." Sabrina answered, completely serious.

"Wonderful..." Zeno answered, his sarcasm completely ignored by the young enchantress.

'Hunting monsters to turn them into accessories... How pitiful of the basilisk, it would probably commit suicide if it knew of it's fate.' Zeno sighed mentally.

[Are you really feeling sad for a monster?] System asked.

'Yeah, why?'

[You who let millions die because you couldn't be bothered?]

'...'

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Zeno stopped Sabrina once they reached the nest of the beast, he could sense that it was inside and Zeno didn't want Sabrina to die due to her inexperience and overconfidence.

"You are allowed to watch but you're not to interfere. I can't have you dead before you pay me." Zeno warned her, earning a huff from her in return.

Still she didn't follow him inside but Zeno could feel that he was being watched by her somehow.

'Ah, magic. I gotta have some of it myself.' Zeno thought still bitter about not having actual magic.

His sword at hand, hid steps silent and his smell was completely neutralized. The beast hadn't even sensed him approaching until Zeno decided to make a mistake on purpose.

'I cannot play my favorite Assassin build with a future court mage watching me over.' He sighed as the Basilisk turned towards him.

*Scheech!*(How the fuck did you got here!?) The beast roared while lunging forward.

"I walked, now let's get this over with ugly piece of shit!" Zeno yelled while making pirouettes to the side, allowing him a clear opening to the beast's neck.

Once he dodged the attack of the beast he swung his sword hard and decapitated it in one stroke.

'Huh?' Zeno exclaimed in shock, he expected a bit more from the beast.

[... You're basically OP in this world minus magical battles. What are you getting surprised by?] System scolded Zeno.

'Now staying here for a century doesn't sound all that fun...' Zeno sighed before he went to the decapitated corpse.

He still needs to skin it without damaging the hide, from how Sabrina had talked his payment would probably be whatever remained from the beast.