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[ 9 ] Demon Hunter
🕑 Added 2024-11-10 20:49:14 +0000 UTCStrolling through narrow alleys between overpacked shelves, Kal’s eyes traced the binders for something interesting in the History & Geography section. He empowered a trickle of mana to boost his intelligence, helping him scan the book titles faster.
Come on. Surely, they have some books about local phenomena and folktales.
“Hey there,” a man waved at the end of the corridor of shelves. He held a forced smile and deceptively pleasant eyes beneath a brown fringe.
“Do I know you?” Kal said.
“Are you little Kal?”
Little? Being a kid sure feels patronizing sometimes.
“Yeah, and?”
“Your wonderful mother left me to mind you while you peruse the library. She told me you were quite the little bookworm.”
“My wonderful mother?” Kal repeated with a sarcastic undertone. “Yeah, okay, buddy.”
“Did I say something wrong?” Andric crooked his head.
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??? Mana Core
Mana ???
Mana Potential 682
Stage 5
Strength: ???
Agility: ???
Dexterity: ???
Charisma: ???
Wisdom: ???
Intelligence: ???
Endurance: ???
Toughness: ???
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Bad news. This guy’s mana must be stronger than even Daedrik’s. I better give him the slip. I can’t risk hanging around someone like this. If he were to sense my core...
“I just like my privacy; now scoot,” Kal said and hurried past Andric through the corridor.
Play it cool. Just keep looking for books, and he’ll go away.
“Oookay. Well, don’t run off—okay? You need to stay in the library,” Andric said, trying to sound authoritative.
“Sure thing, buddy,” Kal waved with his back to the man and turned down another corridor of books.
“Strange kid,” Andric mumbled to himself. “Oh well, easier for me,” he shrugged and turned back to the desk he had taken over for his investigation.
Damn, what terrible luck. The one time I decide to come into this sleepy backwater, and there’s a freaking mage here? And a powerful one at that! Nothing to be done about it now. Hopefully, that keeps him off my back. There’s nothing to be done about it now, and causing a scene is likely to only make things worse.
A part of Kal screamed at him to give up on his little mission and go find some kid's books to pretend to read, but he wasn’t sure when the next time he’d be able to visit the library. Waiting around wasn’t his strong suit, and he knew that staring out his window, not knowing what that presence was, would be unbearable.
I’ll be careful and just take a little peek. Folktales and all that stuff is like entertainment, right? An almost five-year-old reading a book like that isn’t too weird, is it?
It didn’t matter whether or not it was too weird because Kal had already convinced himself he was going to find what he was looking for.
Sitting on the floor within the aisle, Kal hunched over “The Darkside of Ebenshire.”
Disappearances? Why haven’t I ever heard of this? According to this book, multiple people have gone missing right near my home.
He kept reading. The book was a fairly run-of-the-mill collection of horror-esque short stories. The book included a postscript that had an excerpt from local authorities saying that no evidence had ever been found to support the tales and that, in all likelihood, the people had just gotten lost in the vastness of the forest.
That might sound plausible if I hadn’t felt that mana. But there was no way I imagined that. How is it possible that a demon could go undiscovered with so many people poking their noses around here?
Kal was no expert, but he had read enough to know that mages, specifically demon-hunting mages, were pretty good at sensing demons, and he knew his father had at least some demon-hunting experience. Even if the other locals had never managed to figure it out, surely Daedrik would have.
Maybe it isn’t a demon. But then, what is it? That was mana; I know that much. Not only that, but it didn't feel normal... not like human mana does, at least.
“Hey, what are you doing here, little gu–” Andric's voice caught. “Hey, what’s that you got there?” He added, stepping toward and crouching down beside Kal.
“Nothing, really. Just some silly folktales.”
“Folktales?” Andric said, delicately pinching the hardcover’s corner and lifting it just enough to read. “The Darkside of Ebenshire?”
“Yeah, like I said. Local folktales. Scary stuff,” Kal said, poorly attempting to look frightened.
“What a coincidence. This is just the book I was looking for. Don’t suppose you’ve ever heard of the Flesh Trail of Dimvale Woods?”
“Ah–yeah… I’m reading about it now, actually.”
“Bit creepy for a kid your age, isn’t it?”
“I like creepy,” Kal shrugged.
“Fair enough. Do you mind? You can have it right back. I just want to skim through it, really.”
“Sure,” Kal nodded.
I wonder what this mage guy wants with the Flesh Trail?
Flesh Trail of Dimvale Woods was the name given to the mysteries around the disappearances.
“Just a little investigation. Nothing for a small kid to worry about. It’s almost certainly nothing.”
“Investigation?” Kal’s brow curled.
“Ahh–I probably shouldn’t have said that. Like I said, it’s just superstition.”
“Then why are you investigating it?”
“Look, kid, I’m just having a quick look for cautionary reasons. How about we just forget I said anything and go back to doing whatever little kids do, okay?”
“So, you’re taking a quick look by reading about local folktales?”
Maybe my idea wasn’t as stupid as I thought. Not if this guy had the same hunch. Although, maybe he isn’t all that…
“Yeah, it’s silly, I know. But I don’t have a lot else to go on, and the higher-ups won’t be too pleased if I don’t at least pretend to do what they sent me here for.”
“Pretend?” Kal bent his head.
“I shouldn’t have said that either. Don’t mind me. Just keep playing, or reading creepy books, or whatever you do. I’ll bring this back in a moment,” Andric said, rising in a hurry and flashing an awkward smile.
Looks like making the poor guy embarrassed was the best way to get him off my back.
Kal looked back and forth down the aisle. Now what?
The trip to the library had been a bit of a failure. Sure, he knew people had gone missing in the forest, but what good was that? It did, however, more or less confirm that it wasn’t a demon. But Kal had already kind of doubted that demon could live behind their house without Daedrik noticing anything.
Somehow, the idea that whatever was within the Dimvale Woods wasn’t a demon only excited Kal more. Now, he wanted to go find a book on magical beings for further research, but there wasn’t much point in outing himself as an even bigger weirdo when Daedrik’s library would be better suited than where he was.
I guess it’s off to the kids section. I suppose I can practice drawing glyphs if they’ve got crayons. I’ll just need to keep an eye out for that guy. The last thing I need is for him to sneak up on me while I’m doing that. I doubt I’ll have much luck convincing him I’m a normal kid if he sees me drawing glyphs.
Rounding a bookshelf, Kal spotted several small tables and colorful knee-high shelves. It was the children’s section and it was separated from rest of the library by a tiny, white picket fence.
Ah, the child’s section. Painfully colorful and overflowing with nauseatingly upbeat posters.
Kal eyed a small boy about his age hunched over at a table, flicking through a picture book. He was skinny and a little gaunt in the face with short, jet-black hair.
Okay, as long as I just keep clear of the boy, he’ll have reason to engage.
Avoiding eye contact, Kal sat at an orange table on the other side of the children’s section.
Kal eyed several buckets filled with a variety of toys and playthings along the wall.
Crayons, my lucky day!
Jumping up, he filled his arms with the battered and chipped crayons and shuffled back to the table.
“Hello?” Came a soft, shaky voice.
“Huh?” Kal looked up and recoiled as he was greeted by a boy’s face only inches from him.
“You drawing?”
Personal space, buddy!
“What does it look like?” Kal shuffled away.
“Really? I love drawing. Wanna see my rainbow?”
“Do I ever,” Kal rolled his eyes.
“Awesome,” the kid bounced away, hurrying back to his table, then back again carrying a scrunched-up piece of paper. “Look,” he added, smearing his finger into the drawing as he slammed it down in front of Kal.
“Amazing.”
The kid’s clearly more of a Picasso than a Rembrandt.
“Soooo, what are you drawing?” The boy craned over Kal’s shoulder.
“It’s nothing, really,” Kal leaned across his work, trying to hide it from the boy.
“That’s so cool,” the boy said, bobbing up and down as he sought out gaps in Kal’s defenses. “I like that one,” he added, squeezing his hand through a part in Kal’s arm to point at a pentagram-looking glyph.
“Oh, that one? It’s for mana binding. It’s actually one of the most common glyphs.”
“Glyphs?” Andric overheard as he strolled over. “What is that father of yours teaching you? He’s always been a little academically obsessed, but to teach a kid your age about glyphs? That’s bordering on child abuse.”
Shit. Why’d I open my big mouth? And what’s this dude doing back anyway? Whatever happened to peace and quiet in the library?
“Oh, you know. He just wants me to be prepared,” Kal flashed a toothy grin.
“Right. Well, I say there’s a time and a place. Childhood is supposed to be enjoyed. Not spent slung over books studying. Tell your old man to give you a break, and if he’s not happy about it, tell him Andric Vanheim will have a word for him.”
Hero complex much?
“Sure, I’ll mention it.”
“Hold on just a moment,” Andric said, catching the corner of one of Kal’s glyphs as he stepped forward. “Let me take a look at those.”
Reluctantly, Kal let the man take the paper, figuring that refusing was probably more suspicious than just letting him see it.
“Well, I’ll be. These are amazing. Maybe you have a future as a mage scribe ahead of you. If you’re this good at your age, I’m certain you could sell glyphs in the capital when you're older. Heck, you could probably run your own store.”
“Thanks?” Kal crooked his head at the unexpected reaction.
“Oh, and,” Andric produced a book. “Here’s your spooky book back. Oh, and your glyphs,” he added, messily scrunching the paper in a hurried attempt at folding it and handing it back with the book.
“Thanks,” Kal groaned, taking the crinkled paper by two fingers and eyeing it with a half-lidden, unimpressed gaze.
“Well, back to work for me. Stay out of trouble, kids,” Andric said, shooting finger guns. “I guess I’ll let you know when Yandi returns… which is hopefully not too far away,” he turned, muttering to himself as he walked away. “I really need an ale. Why did I agree to this? That woman’s eyes still get me every time.”
“Cool drawings,” the kids said, holding Kal’s glyphs.
“Hey, give that back,” Kal snatched his drawing back. “And like I said, they’re glyphs, not drawings.”
“Well, your glyphs are super cool,” the kid smiled, revealing a missing tooth. “You gonna do more?”
Lord save me.
“Yeah, super cool,” Kal said. “And yes, I’m going to do more.”
...For however long Yandi decides to leave me hanging!
“Wanna show me?”
“Fine.”
“My name’s Arix.”
“Hey, Arix.”
The kid stared at Kal expectantly.
“It’s Kal.”
“Cool name. Did you know I’m going to school next year?”
“How would I know that? We just met.”
“I dunno,” Arix shrugged.
“Right. Anyway, I’m gonna be doing my thing over here,” Kal said, shuffling his chair away.
“Same,” Arix said, shuffling after Kal.
What’s with this kid? Can’t he take a hint?
“Soooo, you drawing more glyphs?” Arix said, leaning over Kal as he tried to ignore him.
“What do you think?” Kal said, resting his chin against the table as he drew.
“That tarts are like cupcakes?” Arix said, craning forward so that his head was in front of Kal’s
“What are you talking about, and why are you doing that?”
“My mom says you should make eye contact when talking. She says, ‘Arix, it’s polite when speaking to someone to always look in their eyes.”
“Well, stop it. It’s creeping me out.”
“Okay,” Arix said, returning to his chair.
Just ignore him. He’ll get bored soon enough.
“Hum, bum bum, diddie dum, hum bum,” Arix sang as he swung his feet and tapped the beat against the tabletop.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re clearly not doing anything. Why are you humming that—whatever that is, and please stop tapping the table.”
“Okay,” Arix said and began whistling.
Seriously? How many years of this torture is this world going to subject me to?
“Oh, there you are,” Yandi said, a broad smile perking her cheeks as she spotted Kal. “I hope I didn’t leave you too long.”
“Just in time,” Kal groaned, jumping up from his chair.
“Whose this—a new friend?” Yandi probed.
“N–”
“Yep,” Arix grinned. “Kal is soooo cool. Can we hang out?”
“Really?” Yandi said, happily clapping. “Of course you can. Here,” she added, scribbling a note. “This is our address. Give it to your parents. Let them know they can drop by any Soulfire eve for a play date. Another little cutie like you is always welcome, and we’d be delighted to have another guest.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” Arix took the note and held it up to the light, smiling.
“How precious,” Yandi beamed. “I knew you were going to make lots of friends, my Little Beetle.”
“Let’s go,” Kal grumbled, pulling on her dress.
“Say goodbye to your little buddy, Kal.”
“Bye,” Kal waved. “Now, come on!”
How on earth did this happen? Is some demon playing games with me?
“Bye,” Yandi waved to Arix. “Don’t forget to give that note to your parents.”
“Bye-bye, Kal!” Arix waved, grasping the note tightly and waving with his other hand while shooting a toothy, ear-to-ear grin.
Great, just freaking great. I’ve somehow managed to recruit another one of these little mouth breathers.
