[Hunt or be Hunted: Prologue - Of Mice and Monsters]

[20:08] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Hunt or be Hunted: Prologue - Of Mice and Monsters]
[20:10] <!Emilybroshoujo> The sun starts to rise as you approach Desrith, it's a quiet town on the trade route between Amberley and Delsia. You're stopping by on your way to Delsia to meet with the Duchess and discuss a way for you to get more suitable work.
[20:11] <!Emilybroshoujo> You recall someone saying the innkeeper was looking for a monster hunter to remove a monster that's taken refuge in his wine cellar, grunt work you haven't resorted to in a while but you've got to eat.
[20:13] <!Emilybroshoujo> You enter the town as the earliest risers among the residence are starting their day, you've been walking for three days now and could use a rest.
[20:15] <!Emilybroshoujo> You get a lot of looks, you're better armed than most common mercenaries so you're used to it.
[20:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> You approach the Inn and enter wordlessly, the innkeeper is a heavyset woman. She's preparing to open for business.
[20:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Sorry hun, we're closed at the moment." She says with a smile.
[20:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Lower your hood and mask and introduce yourself politely.
[20:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Inform her you're here to sort out her pest problem.
[20:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Tell her she has nice tits and order a drink.
[20:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Kill everyone.
[20:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> Choose
[20:17] <HyakkoF> [x] Politely
[20:17] <Captain_Brutus>  [X] Lower your hood and mask and introduce yourself politely.
[20:19] <!Emilybroshoujo> I'd rather not spam ping as much as I used to boys.
[20:19] <Aussie> [X] Politely
[20:19] <Taco_Hell> [x] Inform her you're here to sort out her pest problem because WHO YOU GONNA CALL?
[20:20] <!Emilybroshoujo> You lower your mask and hood. "Hello, my name is Ben. I'm a monster hunter. I heard you had a little problem?" You say as you return her smile.
[20:20] <!Emilybroshoujo> Her eyes widen when she sees the scar over your eye.
[20:20] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Well ain't you handsome." she says with a smile.
[20:21] <!Emilybroshoujo> Sweet lady.
[20:21] <!Emilybroshoujo> "It's just one of those mouse girls, you know? But none of the men are willing to go down there and run her off because they're worried about getting raped." She explains.
[20:22] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I can get rid of her for a room and a meal." You say as you take a seat across from her.
[20:22] <!Emilybroshoujo> "That's it?" She asks, clearly expecting a higher price.
[20:22] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] "It's just a  weremouse."
[20:23] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] "Well... if you'd rather pay more..."
[20:23] <!Emilybroshoujo> Choose.
[20:24] <HyakkoF> [x] Just a weremouse
[20:24] <Taco_Hell> [x] Well if you have any other type of payment....
[20:24] <ANTS> [X] "Well... if you'd rather pay more..."
[20:26] <Captain_Brutus>  [X] "It's just a  weremouse."
[20:28] <Aussie> [X] Just a weremouse
[20:29] <!Emilybroshoujo> "It's just a weremouse, hardly even any effort required." you insist.
[20:29] <!Emilybroshoujo> She smiles warmly. "You got yourself a deal handsome." She says as she motions towards the cellar.
[20:29] <!Emilybroshoujo> You don't really need any prep so you just head down there without hesitation.
[20:30] <!Emilybroshoujo> Something darts behind you as you reach the bottom of the stairs.
[20:30] <!Emilybroshoujo> You glance over into the corner it bolted to.
[20:30] <!Emilybroshoujo> A shadowy figure the size of a child hisses at you.
[20:30] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] throw something at her.
[20:31] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Just kill it.
[20:31] <!Emilybroshoujo> Choose.
[20:31] <ANTS> [X] HUG
[20:31] <HyakkoF> [x] Throw something
[20:31] <Aussie> [X] Throw something
[20:31] <ANTS> [X] throw YOURSELF at her
[20:31] <Captain_Brutus>  [X] throw something at her.
[20:32] <!Emilybroshoujo> You grab a wooden mug from a nearby shelf and toss it into the air as the weremouse postures from the darkness.
[20:32] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Fear meeeee..." she hisses.
[20:32] <!Emilybroshoujo> you throw the mug at her which conks her on the head.
[20:32] <!Emilybroshoujo> She "Meeps" as covers her head as she doubles over swearing.
[20:32] <!Emilybroshoujo> You yank her up by her tail and lift her to eye level.
[20:33] <!Emilybroshoujo> Her eyes widen when she meets your apathetic gaze.
[20:33] <!Emilybroshoujo> "D-don't kill me!" She cowers dangling by her tail.
[20:33] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Calm down." You say as you set the mouse girl down.
[20:34] <!Emilybroshoujo> She bolts behind a nearby standing keg and you sit on a crate.
[20:34] <!Emilybroshoujo> It's a solid minute before she pokes her head out.
[20:34] <!Emilybroshoujo> "W-who are you?" She asks in a raspy, tiny voice.
[20:34] <!Emilybroshoujo> "A monster hunter." You say without turning towards her.
[20:34] <!Emilybroshoujo> She meeps and ducks back into cover.
[20:35] <!Emilybroshoujo> "What are you doing down here anyway, you should know better than to settle near humans."
[20:35] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I... I was cold so I took shelter in here, then that lady started moving her stuff in... I was here first." She says after a pause.
[20:36] <!Emilybroshoujo> You sigh.
[20:36] <!Emilybroshoujo> "So you were a squatter and then she bought this place?"
[20:36] <!Emilybroshoujo> The mouse pokes her head out and nods.
[20:36] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Are you gonna make me leave?" She asks.
[20:36] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Yeah, that's what I'm being paid for."
[20:37] <!Emilybroshoujo> She starts to tear up.
[20:37] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Relax, there are plenty of places for you to stay away from humans."
[20:37] <!Emilybroshoujo> The girl steps out into the light coming from the stairs.
[20:38] <!Emilybroshoujo> Her clothes are tattered and decidedly human in make, a torn up dress and she has a dirty old doll.
[20:38] <!Emilybroshoujo> You sigh.
[20:38] <!Emilybroshoujo> She's a corrupted.... she was once a human girl, turned by another weremouse.
[20:39] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Put her out of her misery.
[20:39] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] ask her if she remembers anything from before she turned.
[20:39] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Just take her somewhere else, don't get too involved.
[20:39] <!Emilybroshoujo> Choose.
[20:39] <ANTS> [X] ADOPT
[20:40] <HyakkoF> [x] Ask her
[20:40] <ANTS> [X] ask her
[20:40] <Aussie> [X] Ask
[20:41] <ANTS> just think, this could become the story of a dirt broke monster hunter becoming the best dad ever
[20:41] <Captain_Brutus>  [X] ask her if she remembers anything from before she turned.
[20:42] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Do you remember why you were here all alone?"
[20:42] <!Emilybroshoujo> She looks confused as if it never occurred to her.
[20:43] <!Emilybroshoujo> "What happened to your parents?" You ask as you reach into your pouch and pull out some pills.
[20:43] <!Emilybroshoujo> The small mouse grabs the sides of her head and starts letting out pained squeaks.
[20:44] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I... I don't... I... uuu... uuuuuaaaah~"
[20:44] <!Emilybroshoujo> She begins to cry.
[20:44] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Mommy! Daddy! Aaaaauuah!~"
[20:44] <!Emilybroshoujo> You pat her on the head and place one of the pills on her tongue.
[20:44] <!Emilybroshoujo> She immediately falls asleep.
[20:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> You carry her up the stairs where there's a crowd of people waiting.
[20:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> One of them attempts to reach for the girl and you draw your sword on him.
[20:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Listen up, fools. There are two types of mouse girl."
[20:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> Everyone falls silent and backs away.
[20:46] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Weremice are harmless pests, they don't attack men or pose any threat beyond stealing food and being a bit of a nuisance."
[20:46] <!Emilybroshoujo> "That's what this little doll is." you say as you place her on a table.
[20:47] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Weremice are created when little girls are attacked by the second type."
[20:47] <!Emilybroshoujo> You begin filling wolfsbane arrows and loading them into your crossbow as the townsfolk watch.
[20:47] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Wererats are larger, more like full grown women."
[20:47] <!Emilybroshoujo> "They're dirty, feral and disease ridden."
[20:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> "They aggressively rape men and maul women and children."
[20:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Full grown women become other wererats."
[20:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> "There is no such thing, as a wererat child, they're children are born weremice and they never grow up they don't age beyond 7 or 8."
[20:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> You stab a silver dagger into the table.
[20:50] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Why don't you boys tell me the real reason you were scared to clear out this nice lady's table?" You say with a violent fire in your eyes.
[20:50] <!Emilybroshoujo> There's a pause... then an older man regales you of the attack that happened in town about a month before the innkeeper moved in.
[20:50] <!Emilybroshoujo> A young married couple were attacked and the husband was found dead after being raped.
[20:51] <!Emilybroshoujo> You listen to the story as the mouse girl sleeps soundly.
[20:51] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Did they have a child?" You finally ask.
[20:51] <!Emilybroshoujo> A few women in the crowd begin crying.
[20:52] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Old man..." you place a lit bud of wolfbane in your mouth and stand up.
[20:52] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I assume you'll cover my... unforeseen complications fee?"
[20:52] <!Emilybroshoujo> He nods.
[20:53] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I'll take care of the girl after I clean up the real problem, if anyone lays a hand on her you'll answer to me."
[20:53] <!Emilybroshoujo> The innkeeper brushes the hair from the mouse girls eyes and promises to look after her.
[20:54] <!Emilybroshoujo> You thank her with a smile and head out towards the woods around the village.
[20:54] <!Emilybroshoujo> You have traps to set.
[20:55] <!Emilybroshoujo> The target is two adult wererats, one guaranteed corrupted, one either corrupted or dire.
[20:55] <!Emilybroshoujo> Sometimes you find work where you least expect it...
[20:55] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Intermission]



[21:04] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Intermission Out]
[21:05] <!Emilybroshoujo> You sit in a clearing smoking your wolfsbane... it's almost sunset.
[21:05] <!Emilybroshoujo> As soon as the sun falls below the horizon you hear rustling in the trees.... you were right about the location of their den.
[21:06] <!Emilybroshoujo> They're both moving quickly towards the village.
[21:06] <!Emilybroshoujo> They probably pick off people out on the trade road after dark.
[21:07] <!Emilybroshoujo> From the sound of them moving it's two, about 5ft tall.... average size. They must both be corrupted.
[21:07] <!Emilybroshoujo> Shit... you need to find the den matron after this.
[21:07] <!Emilybroshoujo> She'll be a lot bigger.
[21:07] <!Emilybroshoujo> You hear a horrible shriek.
[21:07] <!Emilybroshoujo> "That's one."
[21:08] <!Emilybroshoujo> You unsheathe your sword and start running towards the nearest trap.
[21:08] <!Emilybroshoujo> You see her squirming with the steel clamp around her leg.
[21:08] <!Emilybroshoujo> When she sees you her eyes turn red and she lunges at you ripping away at the flesh on her leg to free herself.
[21:08] <!Emilybroshoujo> She's slow though.
[21:09] <!Emilybroshoujo> You parry her claw strikes with your gauntlet before countering with your silver longsword.
[21:09] <!Emilybroshoujo> she avoids it by backstepping.
[21:09] <!Emilybroshoujo> Good instincts... she can feel the threat the silver poses to her.
[21:09] <!Emilybroshoujo> You step back into the treeline and she starts sniffing around for you.
[21:10] <!Emilybroshoujo> You've disappeared from her world.
[21:10] <!Emilybroshoujo> Wererats are so riddled with disease they're completely blind, and her senses won't allow her to smell the wolfsbane you've been smoking.
[21:11] <!Emilybroshoujo> You remain completely silent as the second rat shows itself in the clearing and starts nibbling at the wound of the first.
[21:11] <!Emilybroshoujo> They lash out at each other.
[21:11] <!Emilybroshoujo> Stupid animals... feral lycan are so pitiful.
[21:11] <!Emilybroshoujo> The second rat looks... a lot like the girl.
[21:11] <!Emilybroshoujo> You grit your teeth and wait.
[21:12] <!Emilybroshoujo> When the wounded rat begins to wobble you leap from the bushes and quickly impale the second from behind with your sword.
[21:12] <!Emilybroshoujo> She struggles briefly before dropping to the ground.
[21:13] <!Emilybroshoujo> The first one is unable to move, paralyzed by the wolfsbane extract coating the trap she triggered.
[21:13] <!Emilybroshoujo> You place your sword to her chest and run her through.
[21:13] <!Emilybroshoujo> She hisses and squirms a bit before dying.
[21:13] <!Emilybroshoujo> You turn your attention back to the other.
[21:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> About 6 weeks... it's probably too late but it's worth a shot.
[21:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> You pull out one of your arrows and inject the dying wererat with wolfsbane extract.
[21:15] <!Emilybroshoujo> She seizures in your arms but you hold her tightly against you, she can't use her claws anymore anyway.
[21:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Wh-where... Carl... Suzie... keh... guglle." You reach into her mouth to stop her from choking on her own tongue.
[21:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> She spasms and coughs violently, blood... lots of it.
[21:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> The wolfsbane is killing her... she's already dying from the wound you gave her though... she won't suffer long.
[21:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Where... am I... what's...."
[21:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Shhhh... it's okay."
[21:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> You stroke her hair.
[21:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> "You were attacked by a monster, a were rat... your husband was killed... this was about 6 weeks ago."
[21:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I..." She begins coughing violently.
[21:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Shhhh, you need to breathe... you don't have long."
[21:18] <!Emilybroshoujo> She begins to calm down and stares up at the sky vacantly.
[21:18] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I can't see..."
[21:18] <!Emilybroshoujo> "The lycanthropy blinded you... you've been turned... I had to stop you."
[21:18] <!Emilybroshoujo> ".... Thank you.... my daughter...."
[21:19] <!Emilybroshoujo> "She's fine.... she'll be just fine, I'll see her taken care of. I swear."
[21:19] <!Emilybroshoujo> The dying woman reaches up and touches your face.
[21:19] <!Emilybroshoujo> "It's so cold...."
[21:20] <!Emilybroshoujo> "So I've heard.... I'm here with you." You say as you look down into her red eyes.
[21:20] <!Emilybroshoujo> "My name is Ben, I was hired because your daughter sought shelter in an empty building that later became a tavern."
[21:21] <!Emilybroshoujo> "She's been safe there this whole time, I think the town was secretly protecting her. I plan on making sure nobody comes to hunt her down."
[21:21] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Is she..."
[21:22] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Yes, she was turned, but she'll be fine. Children luckily don't suffer the same horrible fate adult women do... she's just eternally a child now. She can live a peaceful life, she won't hurt anyone."
[21:22] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Thank you... thank you so much...." The woman starts to cry as she grips your hand tightly.
[21:23] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Shhh... just rest. It will be over soon."
[21:23] <!Emilybroshoujo> You stay with her until she succumbs to blood loss. The wolfsbanes more painful effects never set in thanks to the shock.
[21:24] <!Emilybroshoujo> You take the time to bury both of the unfortunate women before you set out for the location of the den.
[21:24] <!Emilybroshoujo> The Den Mother has to die to prevent this from happening to anyone else.
[21:26] <!Emilybroshoujo> You approach the entrance of the den.
[21:26] <!Emilybroshoujo> Sword drawn you dive into the burrow... there are bones everywhere.
[21:27] <!Emilybroshoujo> You make your way to the central chamber where you're met with a sultry voice. "Hey there handsome... you look tasty."
[21:27] <!Emilybroshoujo> The woman sitting on a pile of bones is dirty, she's wearing grey panties and her large breasts are exposed.
[21:28] <!Emilybroshoujo> "You like dirty girls?" She asks as she walks towards you her large mouse ears twitching.
[21:28] <!Emilybroshoujo> "every single time." you whisper as you point your sword at her.
[21:28] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Every time I'm greeted like that... like you don't realize the horrible things you've done."
[21:28] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Like you don't care about the terrible things those innocent women did because of you."
[21:29] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Eh?! I'm just trying to find a husband to-" You slice off the were rats head.
[21:30] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Disgusting mindless animal." You spit with venom in your voice as you look down at her collapsed body.
[21:30] <!Emilybroshoujo> "One day I'll find Lillith and tear out her heart with my bare hands." you say as you leave the den.
[21:30] <!Emilybroshoujo> The moon is ugly tonight...
[21:31] <!Emilybroshoujo> Lillith... the Demon Queen who turned all monsters into subspecies of succubi... even the purest magical creatures were tainted by her venom.
[21:32] <!Emilybroshoujo> Ending her is your life's goal... at least a few centuries ago all monsters did was kill... now they corrupt and pollute... they spread discord and chaos through the basest of primal urges.
[21:33] <!Emilybroshoujo> Some men think the world is better off with her, every hero has come to the same conclusion. Led to inaction by their desire to have a harem of beautiful monsters, ignorant to the pain and suffering around them as long as they can get off.
[21:34] <!Emilybroshoujo> No matter what sort of monster takes her place, Lillith has to die.
[21:34] <!Emilybroshoujo> There's no such thing as the lesser of two evils... evil is evil.
[21:35] <!Emilybroshoujo> You'll kill every demon in hell if you have to.
[21:35] <!Emilybroshoujo> You enter the tavern and the gaze of all the villagers are fixed on you.
[21:35] <!Emilybroshoujo> They're afraid.
[21:35] <!Emilybroshoujo> The look in your eyes probably alarms them, but trying to hide your anger will do no one any good.
[21:36] <!Emilybroshoujo> You walk over the the mouse girl who's now awake sitting at the table with the innkeeper.
[21:36] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Hi..." she says nervously as she looks up at you.
[21:36] <!Emilybroshoujo> You smile and sit down.
[21:36] <!Emilybroshoujo> "My name is Ben." You finally introduce yourself to her.
[21:38] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Your mother wanted me to tell you she loves you very much." You say as you pat her head.
[21:38] <!Emilybroshoujo> "... She's dead isn't she."
[21:38] <!Emilybroshoujo> You nod solemnly.
[21:38] <!Emilybroshoujo> the mouse tears up. "What's going to happen to me?"
[21:39] <!Emilybroshoujo> "That's up to you. You say as you stand up."
[21:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> "You're not dangerous, so you can stay here if you get permission. Otherwise  I can take you somewhere safe."
[21:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> She looks up at you.
[21:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Can't I just go with you."
[21:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] Hell no.
[21:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] I'll think about it.
[21:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> [ ] SURE :DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
[21:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> Choose
[21:41] <Captain_Brutus>  [X] I'll think about it.
[21:41] <ANTS> [X] BEST DAD EVER
[21:43] <HyakkoF> [x] I'll think about it
[21:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I'll think about it." you say as you pat her head.
[21:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> She smiles and her ears flick back and forth.
[21:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> You head up to your room silently after collecting your free meal and pay from the old man.
[21:46] <!Emilybroshoujo> You collapse onto your bed.
[21:46] <!Emilybroshoujo> You need to wake up and leave before she gets her hopes up.
[21:46] <!Emilybroshoujo> She'll die if she's with you, and the innkeeper will take care of her.
[21:47] <!Emilybroshoujo> Besides, you can't bring a monster with you to Delsie, even a harmless one.
[21:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> Not all of them are mindless, not all of them hurt people. It might not always be fair but the ones that do can't be suffered... as long as it's within your power to stop them.
[21:51] <!Emilybroshoujo> You fall asleep alone... again. Even you are not above thoughts of release, a carefree existence with a lovely wife... but not as long as Lillith's heart beats.
[21:51] <!Emilybroshoujo> You drift into a cold night's sleep.
[21:51] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Prologue - End]