Free Web NovelChapter 113: Bounty Hunters
The entrance of the two hunters into the tavern created an atmosphere of tension that tore away the cheerful air of before.
Whispers and mutterings spread sporadically around the place, and the wary glances of the regulars followed the pair of newcomers until they sat down at a table at the back of the tavern.
The presence of hunters on this island could only mean that they were there as bounty hunters, which basically meant working as assassins for hire.
In the Athina Kingdom, Hunters, who were those who hunted monsters, were a profession, but Bounty Hunters, those who made a living from hunting wanted criminals, were more like a derivative of Hunters. They were similar businesses that bore the same name, so it was normal that many Hunters also hunted criminals for bounties.
While whispers rang out in the corners of the tavern, Victor and Franky were some of the few who didn’t fear the presence of the Hunters. Even so, they remained vigilant, aware that the presence of these two men could spell trouble.
The mysterious pair of hunters, despite attracting everyone’s attention, remained impassive.
The taller, more robust one sat upright and kept his right hand on the hilt of his sword the whole time. He wasn’t an idiot, he could feel and see that he wasn’t in a good environment.
The other hunter, with more delicate features and shining armor, seemed to be discreetly examining his surroundings with shrewd eyes. His eyes caught the presence of an Iizardman, a somewhat rare species of non-human, but he didn’t stare at Franky’s back for long.
The tavern waitress, a woman with blonde hair tied up in a messy bun, hesitated for a moment before heading over to the hunters’ table. Her nervousness was evident as she approached them, which was ironic given that she was used to serving pirates every day.
"Good evening, gentlemen," she greeted, breaking into a cold sweat. "Can I get you anything?"
The hunter in shining armor looked up at the waitress. "Two glasses of wine, please. The most expensive you have."
The waitress was surprised by the unusual request. Wine was not a popular drink on this island. She walked away quickly, heading for the counter where the tavern keeper, a stout, fat man with a gray beard, was pouring a few mugs.
While they waited, the hunters remained silent, watching the expressions on the faces of the tavern-goers.
At that moment, Franky brought his mug of mead up to his mouth, but didn’t drink.
"Those hunters don’t seem to be passing through. There must be something important going on here." He commented in a low tone to Victor and then took a sip.
The atmosphere in the tavern was tense, as if a storm was about to descend on them at any moment. The whispers continued, mingling with the sound of the excited voices of a few drunks. It was the perfect setting for a riot.
"This really doesn’t smell right, Franky," muttered Victor.
Franky nodded slightly, indicating his silent agreement with the decision that had formed between them. It was best to get out of this tavern and back to the ship, there was no reason to stay here after the weather got so bad.
When the waitress returned with a bottle of wine in her hand and placed it in the glasses in front of the hunters, the hunter in shining armor raised the glass, examining the ruddy color of the wine with a critical eye before taking a small sip.
Victor and Franky took advantage of the moment to go to the counter to pay their bill to the tavern keeper.
Captain Demetrius, already somewhat intoxicated by the glasses of mead, took a few seconds to realize that he was standing with Victor’s support.
"Where are we going?" he asked, his speech slightly slurred by the alcohol.
The voice interrupted all the minor sounds in the tavern, briefly attracting everyone’s attention, including the hunters who, for an instant, looked away from the wine to the trio of men preparing to leave
"Let’s get back to the ship, Captain. We’ve got a lot of work to do," replied Franky.
Demetrius blinked a few times, as if trying to process the information. "Work? But we’re just getting started for the night! DHAHA!" He laughed out loud.
Victor lifted the captain higher and muttered. "Captain, keep your voice down. We don’t want to get into any unnecessary trouble."
Demetrius looked at Victor, his gaze somewhat embarrassed by the alcohol. "Trouble? Since when are you afraid of trouble, Victor Shieldman? You killed the Devourer of Ships! No one in their right mind on this island would dare get into trouble with you! DHAHAHA!" Once again, he let out an uncontrolled laugh, swaying a little.
Demetrius’ laughter was loud, but it seemed even louder because everything was silent.
"What? The Devourer of Ships has been killed?"
"Is that true?"
"Nah! They must just be the stories of a drunk!" fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
"But now that he’s mentioned it, it’s the first day in a long time that I haven’t heard about some shipwreck caused by the Devourer..." A sailor commented to his friend.
As Demetrius continued to laugh loudly, Victor and Franky had to drag him out of the tavern, and everyone noticed the group hurrying away.
At the back of the tavern, the hunters exchanged brief glances, but didn’t act, and the discussion about whether the Devourer of Ships had been killed or not heated up that tavern again with heated arguments.
Fortunately, it wasn’t long before Victor and the others reached a busy street, where Klento’s nightly bustle practically guaranteed that they wouldn’t be followed.
However, although everything worked out in the end and they avoided any trouble, Franky was in doubt about one thing. Franky knew that the news of the Devourer of Ships’s death could generate all kinds of reactions among the sailors and pirates of this city, but Victor was sure to gain a legion of admirers, so why didn’t Victor take advantage of this? In fact, why didn’t he ever boast about his achievements?
"Victor, why..." He said, but it was Victor who interrupted him with a question.
"Franky, tell me, what did you mean when you said ’she’ in our conversation earlier?" asked Victor with a serious expression as he carried Captain Demetrius on his back.
This sudden question took Franky by surprise and he naturally asked:
"Do you really not remember her? The woman who almost became your wife?"
