NOVEL NEXT Chapter 9: "The Fallen Monster"
Memory: [Uncanny Saw Spear]
Memory Rank: Awakened
Memory Tier: II
Memory Type: Weapon.
Memory Description: [A curious weapon crafted by an Otherworldly Abomination. Granted new power by a meddling third party. It grows strong when held with firm resolve].
Memory Enchantments: [Trick Weapon], [Proud Resolve].
[Proud Resolve]: When held by one whose determination is singular and focused, its power increases. The more difficult the goal the stronger the blade.
Gehrman read the runes as he moved back about the streets of Old Yharnam, looking for specific ingredients.
The Uncanny Saw Spear was different from his other Memories. Though it kept the [Trick Weapon] enchantment, there was no more blood boosting the effects. Instead, a more esoteric enchantment was attached. He was unsure how great of a boost it would receive from his "resolve" but he had to hope that it would be enough to damage the Fallen creature.
Speaking of the creature, now that his head was clear he was finally able to pin down its class. It doesn't show the intelligence of a Demon, if it did, there would be no hope. However since it is still harnessing the Ashen Blood to an extreme degree it is no mere Beast… A Fallen Monster then.
His deduction caused no small amount of discontent in Gehrman. Such a foe would spell absolute doom for any other Aspirant. However, he had not given up hope. After all, he had killed the thing before. When the prodigious hunter came down to Old Yharnam he had slain The Blood Starved Beast. This would be an invaluable experience for taking down the Nightmare Creature of the same name. This was doubly so because its movements were the same. The swiping of the claws, the grab attacks, and the spraying of poison were all within what he had experienced before.
The Fallen Monster was fast, far faster than it had been when he had killed it last. Its speed was almost triple that of Gehrmans, but with [Sixth Sense] he should be able to dodge. If he got hit he would likely die, or at least be put out of the fight like he was only moments ago. All I need to do is not get hit. Gehrman tried to comfort himself with the ludicrous statement.
Even still, he refused to run away from the fight. At the moment, he was doing something he should have done from the beginning, preparing. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed an odd light refraction and quickly changed course.
What lay before him was a strange concoction of putrid scent. It looked as if a wine bottle had been mixed with blood. In fact, this was a real possibility as the citizens of Old Yharnam were more addicted to the Blood than to alcohol.
It was disgusting, and it was exactly what he needed. This Pungent Blood Cocktail would overpower the sense of smell of Beasts, and it would undoubtedly prove invaluable against the Fallen Monster in the chapel.
Before he could get back though, his senses warned him of an intruder. With calm precision he turned and shot the Nightmare Creature that had come up behind him, then, dashing forward, he plunged his Saw Spear deep into its chest, eviscerating it and killing it on the spot.
[You have slain a Dormant Demon, Ashen Blood Beast Patient.]
He had slain a good number of these creatures now, but it was not enough. He quickly put the Pungent Blood Cocktails in his coat and started back to the chapel. This would only end when the source of the Ashen Blood was stopped.
…
Ludwig was not holding up well. He was more suited to fighting at a medium range where he could quickly close the distance for physical attacks while also using the ranged blasts from his Arcane weapon to whittle down any opponents. The problem was, this opponent did not allow for such backpedaling. The moment Ludwig rolled backward, the beast was upon him once again. The fact that he was still fighting was a testament to his sheer ability.
He knew though, that he would likely die here. The supply of blood vials in his coat was dwindling, and he had not given the creature one severe wound.
Then, a loud crash was heard. The sound of the bottle breaking caused Ludwig to lose focus for a moment, less then a second, but he was sure that it would be the end of him. However, the final blow never came. Instead the beast was retreating to a corner, seemingly drawn by the new smell that quickly became suffocating.
Ludwig took this opportunity to inject yet another Blood Vial into his leg. He was starting to feel the effects of the constant use, his heartbeat was nearly deafening at this point. However, over that sound he heard a raspy voice.
"Get off your arse and get out of here. I'll take care of the rest."
Ludwig felt a chill go down his spine as he took in the visage of the First Hunter, soaked in blood.
"Gehrman, h-how did you?" The Church Hunter could hardly believe his eyes. He had seen the old man cut in half and flung out of the building.
"The Blood obviously," he sneered. "Now get lost. I can't bait attacks as well when there is another person muddling about."
His body moved before his brain could fully process the scenario. The authority Gehrman had as the master of the Hunt was nigh absolute, even to someone as prestigious as Ludwig. He had been wary of Gehrman's state ever since he had found him on the street, out of his wits and nearly frenzied. He had never fully recovered, despite the sedatives. Now though, Gehrman wielded the aura of the unstoppable killer he embodied in his prime. For that reason, Ludwig retreated from the cathedral, for he dared not get in his way.
"You filthy beast," Gehrman drawled. "I am going to enjoy repaying you for cutting me in half." With a might nearly surpassing human limitations he hurled another projectile, this time, when it shattered oil splattered out. The Blood Starved Beast yelped, and returned from its blood-drunk state. Its pupils narrowed on its prey as it leaped across the hall.
The ground beneath the Fallen Monster cracked with the might of the jump. Gehrman should have died right then and there, but when the blow came, it hit empty air.
Before the beast could realize what had happened, a new bottle splashed on its back. This time, it felt true pain. The Molotov Cocktail exploded with furious flame, the oil coating the creature increasing the damage. Its howl was interrupted as a serrated blade cut into it.
With the sole thought of hunting this creature, Gehrman felt the Uncanny Saw Spear's power increase. The enhancement was not as drastic as the one received from [Forged by Blood,] but it was enough.
The weapon cut into the beast, a true wound appearing on its frail leg. The Blood Starved Beast threw its powerful limbs about with mad fury. However, it did not land a single blow. True to his goal Gehrman would not be hit once.
More swipes and more dodges came as the fight slowly became a dance. Gehrman would dodge forward and under the crushing attacks, always landing close enough to tear into the beast.
The Fallen Monster suffered no fatal wounds, but slowly and surely it lost more blood. Its limbs became weaker. Its attacks became slower.
Suddenly, it turned its head toward the sky and let out a viscous roar. The Ashen Blood erupted from it. The lethal poison would have been enough to kill a normal man, but none of it even this touched Gehrman.
The hunter stood 10 meters back, and threw another Molotov Cocktail before the beast could get momentum.
Then they once again returned to the dance. As they fought, all of Gehrman's useless thoughts started to fade and his instincts became sharper. He had entered a zone of pure lethality. In this state, the Uncanny Saw Spear's power reached its limit.
With a terrifying blow that shook the chapel, he plunged the weapon deep into the Blood Starved Beasts back.
The small wounds compounded on each other, becoming a true hindrance. All the while Gehrman's speed increased as he read every attack perfectly. While a regular hunter would tire, Gehrman grew sharper. Seconds turned to minutes as the fight dragged on.
It was a long and brutal slug-fest.
Then, after half an hour had passed, one of the beast's legs broke.
Gehrman tore into the beast with incredible speed. Using the "trick" function of his weapon repeatedly to maximize damage.
The Blood Starved Beast's howls became screeches, then groans, and then there was silence.
It was only when that silence was broken that Gehrman finally stopped hacking away.
[You have slain a Fallen Monster, Blood Starved Beast.]
[You have received a Memory: Portable Blood Imbiber]
A shuddering breath escaped the hunter as he looked down at his slaughtered prey. The overwhelming stench of blood was overpowering all his senses as his pupils dilated. The line between man and beast thinning as a cost for the inhuman feat he had accomplished.
Suddenly a wave of nausea hit him. His eyelids became heavy, and despite his best efforts he felt his consciousness fading.
[Wake up, Gehrman! Your nightmare is over.]
[Prepare for appraisal…]