"How do you effectively stab a hard scaled beast?" Uril entered the room while holding a tray with plates of food.
She placed them down on the table as she watched Rueben do handstand push ups with ease.
Rueben slowly stopped and stood up, letting the sweat drip down from his lean muscular body. Uril only took a glance before grabbing a towel. She handed the towel to him and sat down on the table.
"Why do you ask?" Rueben asked as he wiped his sweat.
"I've been trying to gather more information about beast turned humans. Most of the Hunters i work with don't really get to fight one with hard scales, i thought of turning to you. After all, you are a veteran, even amongst veteran Hunters."
Rueben gave her a glance, before nodding.
"Well, it depends on your weapon." He spoke while putting on a shirt.
"If you have a sharp weapon, say, a double-edged sword or a dagger, stabbing them in one point multiple times will weaken their scales. If done enough times, you will be able to pierce through the hard scales and stab what is hidden inside."
Buttoning his shirt, he continued, "You can target their mouth, most of the time, they wouldn't protect their insides. But this is dangerous to do, so i recommend you stick to the previous method."
"What if it's a blunt weapon?" Uril asked while writing in her little notebook.
Rueben contemplated his words for a moment before answering, "I don't have much experience with blunt type weapons, i use sharp ones so what im about to say might be incorrect but i reckon if you use enough force, you might be able to damage the scales faster and more effectively than stabbing it with a sword or something."
"Ohhhh..."
"I recommend using blunt type weapons when fighting against hard skinned beasts. it's much more efficient that way."
Uril continued writing in her notebook as Rueben entered the bathroom to wash his face.
After a while, Rueben exited the bathroom. He went to the cabinet to find his clothes only to realize.
"...There's only gowns and shirts here.." Muttering to himself, he turned to Uril.
"Hey, can i ask you a favour?"
Uril stopped writing on her notebook and turned her head up to look at him.
"Of course?" Raising one of her eyebrows, she stared at him.
"I need you to get me a change of clothes in Mir Bar. Just ask a man named Robert, and he'll give you 5 sets."
Uril nodded her head.
"Mir Bar?" Then she shook her head and asked.
Wearing one of the gowns over her pants, Rueben turned to her.
"Yes, it's at the center of Ward 5. Find a nearby river, cross the bridge, then turn to the alleyway. Walk inside, and you should see a sign with the bar's name and a forge infront of it."
Then he grabbed her notebook, tore one paper from the back, and also grabbed her fountain pen. He wrote something in it for a few moments and then gave it to her.
"Give this note to him for me too."
Uril gave him a glance for a moment before nodding her head. She stood up and took a glass of water and drank it before speaking, "If i get lost?"
Rueben pursed his lips for a moment, "Well, ask the hunters inside Ward 5. They will point you to the right directions. The bar is pretty popular amongst hunters in my Ward."
Uril nodded her head, and she exited the room. Then turned to him again, "At the center of Ward 5, Mir Bar, talk to a man named Robert. Is that right?"
"Yes. Thank you."
Nodding her head again, she left the room while closing the door behind her.
Rueben let out a thankful sigh as he went to the small kitchen in the room to boil some water.
Just as he was about to turn the valve, Uril once again entered the room.
"Again, center Ward 5, Mir Bar, Robert."
"...Correct."
Nodding again, she exited the room.
"..." Rueben stared at the door for a moment before turning to the stove nearby. He bent down to open a compartment where gas is stored and turned the valve.
He grabbed some matches atop of the kitchen and lit it before lighting the stove. Seeing that the stove was turned on, he placed the kettle on the stove silently.
Then his door opened once again, revealing Uril with an awkward expression on her face.
She stared at him for a moment and tried to open her mouth, but Rueben beat her to it.
"At the center of Ward 5. The name of the bar is Mir Bar. Talk to the man named Robert."
Awkwardly staring at him, she nodded her head and left.
Rueben just stared at her leaving silently and closed the door. He then locked the door and went to the kitchen.
There should be some coffee beans here somewhere... This is a suite type room after all..
Looking around for coffee beans, he finally found a container and happily took it out. He roasted the beans over the stove for a moment using a pan. After that, he grabbed a mortar and peddle, starting to grind the beans.
After a while, the kettle let out a noise, and Rueben placed it unto the counter while he prepared his coffee. Finishing grinding, he placed it into a metal mesh filter and grabbed the kettle.
Slowly pouring the boiled water in, soon a coffee was created.
He then looked around for milk only to find a condensed can of milk, shrugging to himself. He placed the liquid into the kettle and mixed it for a moment. Then he poured it into the coffee.
Finishing that, he took a glance at the leftover milk inside the kettle.
"...I'll reheat this after she comes back. She's still a child, after all. Drinking milk will help her bones." Smiling, he placed the kettle on the stove, made sure to turn everything off before grabbing the coffee mug, and stood at the window.
Then he took a sip.
***
"That is all, My Crown."
In a forest somewhere deep, Cheryl knelt down in one knee while talking to the mirror that was magically floating a few inches away from her.
Inside the mirror was the Crown themself, wearing nothing but a long red cape with viels for a crown. Their eyes, or what she presumed to be their eyes, turned to look at her as the Crown let out a small sigh.
[We need more information regarding their kingdom. If we are to try and ally ourselves with them, then we must ensure that they are trustworthy.]
Cheryl nodded her head in agreement, "Should i stay inside to scout out for more information?"
The Crown stared at her for a moment before shaking their head.
[No need. I have already met the queen of swords.]
"...The Queen of Swords?"
[Yes, Sword Edge's Queen. She rudely entered my home abode and demanded to serve her.]
"..."
[Of course, i drove her away. But she was quite stubborn because she tried to do it again 5 times before giving up.]
What in the world are their guards doing? Do they not sense that an intruder entered their esteemed's bedroom? I'll have to talk with Arshavin after this... Cheryl frowned as she listened to the Crown.
The Crown stared at her for a moment before shaking their head. [You do not need to warn Arshavin of what happened. I am capable enough to swat away any threats, and you cannot yet fight against her.]
"...Why is that so, My Crown?" Cheryl asked.
The Crown just chuckled, [Sword Edge's Queen is a powerhouse, a Sword Saint that uses Internal Aura. Even Arshavin himself cannot help but kneel infront of her pressure, so will you, and all the other younger generations.]
"..."
Younger generations, that was what the Crown called them. Arshavin, her, Rueben Mortimer, Aschura, Jehovin Fricks, Marcus Wite, and Red Eye.
These are the names that have gained reputation as Hunters in their country, they are those whose feats can be told as legends.
Arshavin — Silver Stained Knight, the loyal and genius tactical knight, swore his soul to the Crown. He leads the entire Royal Army Force and protects the Crown and their people. He has brought down countless beasts by himself.
Cheryl Wesley Ina — The Motherhood Church's Crow, famed for her brilliant mind and companionship, those who worked with her experienced much more than those who have not.
Rueben Mortimer — The Hunter of Hunters, human turned beasts killed, 5. Blood drunk hunters, 23.
Aschura — Commander of the Owl Hunter Division of Ward 22 to 26. Once a child, she entered the Hummingbird Hunter Division, and once the division collapsed due to a coup, she rose and became one of the beloved Commanders of Arkvem.
Jehovin Fricks — The only notable feat is that he somehow managed to fuse two completely different types of animal species. Some call him a mad scientist while others call him the Boogeyman.
Marcus Wite — De facto leader of the Noble Faction, even when young, he leaded the Noble Faction. It is a huge feat because the faction itself was breaking apart, crumbling due to respective families refusing to collaborate. Only when he did stepped up to leadership did the faction become glued together.
Red Eye. — No one knows who she or he is. Wearing an all white robe like coat covering everything, he always appears when there are hunters that turn into beasts. Because of this, she and Rueben Mortimer sometimes clash against each other.
Remembering all that information she got, especially hers, she nodded her head.
If the Crown themself say that we do not yet have the capacity to fight against a "Sword Saint", then it is true. I must double my efforts, for my children.
Thinking to herself, the Crown stopped her train of thought with a slight sigh.
[Come back, child. You must return to your children and let them know you are alive and well.]
[There is no further use in investigating their kingdom, i have sent countless others to gather information. Their spies have also given us plenty, so there is no need for you to risk yourself. Return home, Cheryl.]
"Yes, My Crown."
[Ah! Also, before i forget. Do say hi to the church for me, tell them i haven't had much chance to visit them lately. You must tell the priestess herself, okay?]
"Will gladly do, My Crown." Nodding her head, the mirror slowly shrinked as the Crown waved their hand towards her to say goodbye.
The mirror shrank completely, turning into an earring for her to just stab and let stick.
After doing that, she let out a sigh and turned to the direction of her home. Then she ran, with enough strength to get there quickly without running out of energy.
***
Uril looked around in confusion as she stared at the never-ending maze of alleyways and small roads. There were groups of hunters walking around, patrolling the entire area.
In one of the steel walled buildings, a woman wearing a mask opened her window and touched the rope attached above her window that run across to her neighbour's window infront of her. After making sure that it was tight, she placed her laundry onto it to dry.
Looking at the woman, Uril then turned to the bridge, then to the large building to what she presumed to be the Division office before looking down to her bag.
Taking out a map of the entire Arkvem.
Arkvem is divided into 5 parts, 3 districts, and 32 wards. The 5 parts correspond to the 5 forces in Arkvem, Nobles at the north, Inventors at the West, Craftsmen at the South, Hunters at the East, and the Royal Army at the center.
The three districts are the High District, Middle District, and the Low District.
The High District is where those who are important or are rich reside, while the middle are those of the middle class and the Low District are for the military and those of the low background.
Starting from the middle, the Ward 1, it circles all around the entire city, ending at the far end of the East, which is Ward 32.
There are underground channels, but she reckoned she didn't need any of it as of now.
"..."
She looked at the map, especially the Ward 5 map.
"..Im lost."