New beginnings

After my birthday I had to go through a rite of passage which would make the Saltz family recognise as a true adult hunter. I was tasked with getting an item from each of the five great beasts that made the forest of the damned so popular.

First I was to get a scale from the sirens of crossbow lake, because the siren scales are so tough ordinary bows didn't work against it. Only materials as strong as crossbows made from the local iron wood trees can kill a siren. But hunters don't return from crossbow lake only the bloody crossbows get washed ashore hence the name. I know, it really sounds like they were trying to get rid of me for good. To get a name as big as Saltz you have to be better than the best, apparently names were really important in getting work or rank as a citizen and this family name would automatically make me a C- class adventurer and pardoned level citizen.

As the saying goes, the first step towards insanity is repeating the same thing and expecting different results so I decided not to use a crossbow. I got a branch from a dead iron wood tree and carved it into an isegai, with this I was ready for battle. I charged towards the lake and when i reached the shore I made a small cut on my finger hoping to draw the sirens out with the smell of blood. After a few seconds of waiting, the water

started bubbling and I knew it had worked, though, I wasn't sure whether I should be excited or terrified either way I was feeling both. Suddenly I heard what sounded like a screaming adolescent female. I dove into the water and the screaming started getting fainter and as I dove deeper the voice began more audible a lady-like figure became visible until she was finally within an arm's reach. I gently held her and immediately a shriek escaped her as she noticed the spear plunged into her chest. The true form of the woman started to reveal what was actually a siren. "How did you know? ", she hissed as we reached the surface. A sigh escaped my chest and I replied, "I didn't."