Forged Destiny [Book 9: Ch. 30]

"It's a foul monster. Saw it with my own eyes, I did. Big as a barn and strong as fifty men. Doesn't spit fire but acid, and that burned through a tree in seconds. Its wingbeats blow winds enough to knock a man down and its eyes pierce through the gloom all bright and red. It's a monstrous thing, I tell ye. A demon left behind by that accursed Goddess."

[...]

"Dangerous?" the Knight asked.

"Deadly."

"Big?"

"Huge. Bigger than the whole tavern."

[...]

"You'll be going then?" the Innkeeper asked. "Please, tell Vale we need more. We need a good ten or twenty to handle this thing. Or the Royal Guard themselves. It's too much."

"I think you misunderstand," the Ranger said, voice dripping humour. She watched the Knight stomp away, already loosening his sword. It was a majestic thing, even he could see that. Covered in ornate scribbles and glowing blue. "Our companion isn't frightened."

The doors slammed open. Horses outside neighed, the Knight swinging up onto one and looking back. "Well?" he called through the door. "Come on. I've only got a week off and this thing isn't going to kill itself."

"He's excited."

[...]

Morning dawned and the village was silent. People crowded by the front gates, staring in equal parts awe and horror at the huge and scaly creature impaled on a tree and left to die. As big as advertised, as ferocious and with giant teeth and claws, the thing was so gargantuan that it was still there, dissolving into black motes as all Grimm did, but slow enough that the body might remain for another hour at least.

The beast's head lay at the base of the tree, its eyes empty and tongue hanging out.

A scrap of parchment remained stuck to the tree, driven into it by a small knife. Nervously, the Innkeeper approached and ripped it free, turning to those watching to read it out loud.

"Killed your monster. Wasn't all that tough. Was actually two different Grimm working together. Both dead. Consider the second a freebie. Please deliver reward to Beacon at earliest convenience. Signed, Janus, Belle and Robyn. Everyday adventurers."

[...]

"You think we should have stayed?" Ruby asked. "It's gotta be weird waking up to find that thing nailed to a tree."

"It was just a letter."

"I meant the Grimm, Jaune."

"Meh." I answered, whistling cheerfully. "Details."

"Would have been nice to stay for the reward," Blake said.

—Forged Destiny [Book 9: Ch. 30]