The Stargazing Witch & The Dungeon Planet
Chapter 26: Hunting

Chapter 26: Hunting

“Burn, [Incinerate].” Terrifying flames burst forth from my hand engulfing the large bear monster with a pair of metal bat wings which it tried to use as a shield in front of me.

Two more tried to rush me from behind, however, I jumped straight up above their heads.

“[Fire Arrow].” I launched two arrows of death right through the two monsters. Each pierced through their skulls and exploded in their stomach. I landed back on the ground, in the middle of the hoard of Bearts. 

Today’s job, dealing with a Jumper Dungeon on the moon–Despair X32–within a timely manner. 

A Jumper Dungeon, was a type of Portal Dungeon in which its gate would appear from one place to another constantly. It appeared, its door opened, a swarm of monsters would come out and then it would disappear again.

“[Fire Tornado]-[Fire Arrow]” A tornado of fire whipped around twisting and turning it spun and began to hunger after the remaining Bearts, as small arrows continued to be released penetrating the ones that tried to find cover. While I stayed in the centre of the storm watching.

I was working alone today without Jacob on a clear and clean mission. As part of the clearer team, I wasn’t the only clearer but we all spread out in our own directions.

It was the job of the clearers to kill every monster that appeared on the moon within a twelve hour period, then after that a large group of Carriers with some guards would pick everything up. 

Would it be more efficient to do the usual of having parties of a team working with a designated Carrier. Probably, but this setup was nice as it let the offensive hunters go all out without worry.

A giant boulder flew towards me but I easily noticed it and [Quiet Step] out of the way.

Boom!!

It collided with ground 

“Roaeeee!” A giant Beart roared, four pairs of metal wings stretched prepared to block any attack. While also it swung its arms trying to clobber me.

Let’s see how durable you are? 

“[Fire Arrow].”

I [Burst] around its body firing weak arrows all over, it was indeed tougher than a standard size Beart but not in an equal ratio to its size.

Annoyed, the creature who tried hitting me with its fist, gave up that strategy and punched the ground with a charged fist. Lightning stormed forth from the impact and devoured the surrounding area.

Doesn’t seem dangerous, but best be safe.

I flew high in the sky to dodge the attack, “Well I think I know its endurance now. [Fire Arrow].”

I created one more [Fire Arrow], larger and more dense in pure Fire energy. The perfect amount to one-shot this creature.

I leaned, and threw the arrow right down into the beast’s neck.

“Crerarra!” It cried as the arrow pierced straight into its stomach and–

Poof

Smoke flew from the creature’s month as the arrow exploded. The large Beart crashed on the ground, shaking the small moon.

The mission’s profits were more focused on removing the monster that appeared on the moon than collecting their corpses. Exceptions were made when the monsters that appeared were extremely valuable but today they were only mildly valuable. 

(“ 1.27, you could’ve done better. I’m disappointed in you ”)

I ignored Espr and went back to where I started, to pick up the scooter I was borrowing.

Starting it up, I went along my way but as I rode, I heard a vehicle travel towards me. For a moment I just assumed we were both going in the same general direction but it became clear that as soon as they saw me–they were coming for me. Speeding up once I became visible the vehicle zoomed towards me.

Aren’t those the Pelopate guys? What a small universe. 

I recognised the vehicle but there shouldn't have been any reason for them to interact with me. Beside my first mission I hadn’t interacted with the Pelopate company on any of my other expeditions.

I stopped because I was at the next marked area and was about to move up and clear the monsters in the area, but the car stopped right behind me. With one voice that called out, “Please, wait for a moment.”

Five people hopped out of the moon car, three clearly Pelopate employees–one seeming vaguely familiar but I didn’t know what about his presence was giving me those vibes–guards accompanied by two others.

The other two didn’t wear anything Pelopate related. One wore a standard fancy pants suit while the other wore a more common light space armour with a projection helmet–meaning his head was completely visible. 

Hired guards probably.

“Why are we even here?” One of the guards grumbled. The individual that felt vaguely familiar spoke and his idiotic voice was one I recognised–it was the idiot riding the G2 Mech way back. He had dyed white straight standing hair with a black lightning bolt design on both sides.

“You’ve been told why three times.” His fellow guard elbowed him, and they whispered. “You’re on guard duty for your punishment and you’re working on this specific job to confirm it’s the same lady…” 

The idiot looked at me and went, “Oh you.” He spoke rudely, clearly unhappy. “You stole our company's kill.”

Before I even got the chance to respond, his teammate kicked his leg, grabbed his ear and told him to “Shut up and just do your job.”

The two non-guards walked up towards me and I had a feeling about what was going to happen.

“We would like to ask you a few questions.” 

I knew this would happen.

I wasn’t exactly sure why they suspected me. It could’ve been someone saw me, I was one the hunters who wasn’t away that day, being a high level [Fire Mage], and/or me being PLS. There were plenty of reasons with varying levels of justification. 

The questioner was wearing an expensive clearless spacesuit. The device was a bracelet around his wrist which created an invisible mana layer over his entire body–it provided protection and oxygen. 

This type of equipment didn’t provide enough protection for a hunting job, but it was perfectly suitable for those who just had to spend time in the unbreathable coldness of space.

“Be quick, I’m busy.” I answered purposely rudely. 

I now had two goals: don't drag any additional suspicion on myself and leave as quickly as possible. I didn’t think staying completely silent would do much from the former, hearing about how persistent investigators were from my planet.

So time to stretch my acting muscles, it was one of my average amount of talents.

“Okay, my partner and I are with the SIM unit, we only have a few questions to ask.”

His partner stayed back not saying anything, probably using truth skills on me or trying to take a peek of my Soul Page.

Espr, want to help? Does the dude in the back have lie detection skills?

(“ Not particularly, but you are correct ”)

“Did you go to Helious mall on the 90th of Bluepple.”

Yep I was right…

“Yep.” I replied, needed to weave in some truth and lies.

“What time?”

“Not sure, after the big boom. I went running, was worried for my siblings. I only found my brother who was also worried for my sister.” Lie detection skills were based on what the individual perceived as true, and I never found my sister–Espr did.

“Have you been involved in any group related work besides your work as a hunter?”

“Nope.”

“Did you have any–”

I interrupted, “Look I don’t fucking have the patience to deal with you a lot.” I glared, “I have a job to do, so hurry the fuck up.”

He coughed, “Did you have any family involved in the incid–”

“Yes!” I growled interrupting him mid-sentence, “My sister got her fucking arm and leg blown off!”

(“ Antagonistic today aren’t you ”)

Don’t judge the character I’m playing, I know you're enjoying the show. 

There was the option of just staying completely silent, but I had already gone with the ‘annoyed hot head’ act so changing that now would be suspicious. 

“Are you in the possession of tier five or above [Fire] skills?”

I did my old trick. [Scorched Extinction]. And summoned four supremely hot balls of fire behind me, the group stumbled back thanks to the heat besides one of the guards.

“You’ve got one more question.” I firmly stated. If they physically tried to stop me from leaving I would have perfect justification to fight back. I even had an additional camera on my suit today, it was supposed to be used to track every kill I made but it did record everything I saw. 

He kept his expression sturdy and no emotion appeared on his face, no matter my outrage and he asked, “Is your name also Celestira?”

“Huh? No.” I replied. That will never be my name.

The man looked at his partner for some sort of confirmation but he just shrugged.

I continued, “Now I’ve got some work to do.”

[Scorched Extinction].

Three dark orange balls of heat formed behind me, joining the four that were already present. The Bartvaivans were ahead–monsters that looked like a combination of apes, bats, and eagles–they couldn’t fly, but the hoard I found had spread out during the little interrogation I had.

Any useful information Espr?

(“ Well for your information, the second individual Lelaborncoupa Smith, was trying to take a peek at your Soul Page but only was able to gleam [Fortified Stomach], [Sleepless Nights], [Blazing (VI)] and that your level was above 200 ”)

Are Soul Page scanning skills that useless? [Blazing (VI)] isn’t even one of my skills. I mean half related to one. 

(“ Bullying children now? I’m proud of you ”)

He was probably older than me. And be quiet, I need to concentrate.

(“ You can concentrate fine even if I was chatting for eternity ”)

I wasn’t sure if my plan to not be suspicious worked. Hadn’t been in that type of situation for over a decade, but I felt I did well.

I chucked three balls far into the distance. Ready to create a tidal wave.

Anyway it was time for me to hurry up with this job, I wanted to be home soon. We were leaving to Earth in only three days.

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