The Bounty Hunter

I had just finished celebrating my 10th birthday when I had stumbled across that village on the edge of the forest.  It was a small community of about 50 people or so, it would be more accurate to call it a hamlet rather than a village.  But when I looked more closely I could see that there was a group of people discussing something with serious expressions.  “Wow, that’s so cool! Those people have animal ears and tails!  And that short guy with the beard must be a dwarf!  Woah, and there’s even an elf!”  I exclaimed to myself.  

I was delighted at the sight of these fantasy races and as I drew closer I heard them talking in a language I didn’t know.  I pondered for a moment and then quickly improvised a translation spell which miraculously worked.  The timing was perfect since an elderly dwarven women stepped out from the largest house to address the group about what had occurred.  “Everyone, please settle down.  I have talked with the scouting party and we have come to the conclusion that a large group of goblins have moved into the area.” 

At her words, the group of adults paled.  One women with dog-ears asked “How large exactly?”  “The estimate is about 100 or so.”  Everyone broke out into worried whispers and murmurs as a blonde-haired elf cried out “Even if they are just goblins, we aren’t able to take out that many! What do we do?!”  My eyes shined at this situation as I thought “This is it! This is my chance to start my otherworld hero story!” 

And without further ado, I stepped into the fray.  “Excuse me! Where are these goblins located?”  I asked the village chief.  “Hm? They are at the cave by the river to the east.  Wait, who are you?”  And so everyone quieted down as they noticed me standing next to the chief.  “My name is Terra and I’m an adventurer!  I’ll go solve your goblin problem for you!”  Without waiting for a response, I eagerly ran off in the indicated direction. 

Although there was no trail in the forest, I had a year’s worth of experience allowing me to navigate with ease.  I was free-running at full speed, jumping over thick roots, swinging from the occasional branch and avoiding thick brush that would slow me down.  When I arrived near the cave, I used a simple charm to examine the interior.  My year of monster hunting had taught me to be cautious and always investigate before engaging anything unknown. 

Luckily, all 100 goblins were in the cave.  Even better was the fact that there was only one exit.  That made things very simple for me.  I walked up to the entrance and snapped my fingers.  There was an echo in the cave that continued for far longer than a natural one would.  The pressure in the cave suddenly amplified to the point where I could see the pebbles being crushed into a fine powder.  I heard a series of nauseating sounds from the depths of the cave, signaling the deaths of the goblins from my spell.  My breathing became heavier while my heart rate also increased and I had cold sweats.  It took me a few moments to calm down.  Although I had conquered my fear of fighting monsters, killing was still hard on me. 

By this point of my other world adventure, 100 goblins were no problem for me.  My ability to transverse worlds seemed to synergize with my ability to use magic, making me more powerful than the average wizard.  Furthermore, my time in the forest had made me nimble and agile.  My current fighting style relied on me evading a monster’s initial attack while scanning it for weaknesses, then I would strike with magic. 

These fights made me develop an infallible intuition that I have relied on ever since.  But despite all of my impressive abilities, I was still a kid.  I may have adapted to fighting, but killing was a different matter entirely.  Even though I knew from experience that monsters were incredibly hostile and vicious, I still had a soft heart.  I couldn’t imagine ever having to kill another sentient being.  I wanted to be a Hero that saved everyone after all.

My resolution of the crisis made me a hero in Hafor Village and all the residents happily welcomed me.  They thought me to be a guardian spirit due to my human like appearance, my enormous strength unsuitable for a child and the fact that I would disappear and reappear like the morning mist.  I would often hunt and repulse threats in the forest, thus becoming a valued existence in the village.  I learned all sorts of things during my time here.  The village healer taught me alchemy, hunters showed me how to track and stalk prey, and the magic crafter showed me how to make magic items.  At home I only had one friend, and she was becoming busier due to family obligations so we could no longer play together as often.  I started coming to the village frequently to play with the other children since I had no one else in my world.

It was here where I met Kira, who was currently the youngest in the village at the age of 7 and would be left out when the other children played because she couldn’t keep up.  I, however, approached her the moment I saw her.  Partly because I saw she was lonely and partly because I was fascinated by her cat appendages.  I had always wanted a pet cat but my father was allergic so I could never get one.  I had also wanted a younger sibling, but I never got one. 

Apparently my mother had been deemed infertile when she was young and my birth in of itself was a miracle.  So I definitely spoiled Kira a lot when we were together.  We quickly became as close as can be and she even started to purr for me when we were alone together.  This laid back village life went on for 3 years and then the incident happened in the summer before I entered middle school.