Chapter 214: Hungry for blood.

It only took a few minutes for Hunter to assemble his raiding team, though "a few minutes" was a absolute miracle considering the chaotic crowd blocking the courtyard. Word had gotten out that a high-tier hunt was brewing, and nearly every able-bodied fighter in the shelter wanted in on the action.

This was especially so because it was a guild, government or clan activity. Any stones they got where theirs to keep. In this world, who would not want such an opportunity?

When Hunter announced the final short list, the rejected men and women grumbled with heavy dissatisfaction. Some slumped their shoulders, hanging their heads in deep, dramatic sadness like left-behind puppies.

"If there are beasts tomorrow, then we will organize another hunting party for those who will be interested." Hunter told them. He frowned and deepened his voice, "Zyra and I are not liable for any lives lost. Think twice. This is risky."

Zyra stepped out of the main house, closely followed by Taylor, who was huffing and puffing under the weight of a bag heavy weaponry.

Seeing the long faces of the anxious men and women who looked like they wanted to jump over the gate, Zyra paused and addressed them. "Alright, clear a path all of you," she called out, gesturing to the bag. "Look, I know everyone’s itching to contribute to the shelter or line their pockets but it is a absolute meat-grinder out there right now! Wait for things to calm down. You’ll get your turn another day, I promise."

"And we are not going far nor are we taking our beasts. It’s a small hunting exercise for Zyra to learn. It will be better to hunt when the floods start receding." Hunter said to them.

Before the gloomy mood could settle, Bianca suddenly bounded into the courtyard like a hyperactive child, jumping into the air with an ear-splitting scream of pure excitement. "Woohoo! Sea food night!"

The sudden, chaotic burst of energy cracked through the tension, making the whole crowd burst into laughter.

The laughter faded fast, however, when Malia stepped into the light.

Silence fell over the courtyard as she walked straight up to the armory bag. Without saying a word, she grabbed a disruptor rifle and slung an electro-pulse gun over her shoulder. The crowd watched her nervously. News about the tragic death of her family had spread through the valley like wildfire. Everyone knew she was carrying a mountain of grief and rage on her shoulders. Nobody had expected her to volunteer for a hunt at such a time.

Zyra caught Hunter’s eye immediately, subtly making wild, desperate hand gestures at him. Deal with this! Tell her no! She’s unstable! Zyra signaled furiously with her eyes.

Hunter cleared his throat, cleared it again, and took a step toward Malia. "Malia," he said in his sternest leader voice. "Go back inside the house. You’re staying behind."

Malia didn’t even look up as she smoothly cocked the disruptor rifle, resting the heavy barrel at an angle that pointed directly at Hunter’s chest. Her eyes were icy cold.

"Try and stop me, I am hungry for blood. Don’t make it yours." She warned, her voice eerily calm.

Hunter instantly froze, slowly raising both hands in the air. Yeah, nope. He wasn’t about to mess with a grieving, heavily armed woman who looked ready to blow a hole through the nearest mountain. If she wanted to march into a flood of sea monsters, that was on her head.

"Alright! Moving on!" Zyra shouted quickly, clapping her hands to break the terrifying standoff. "Let’s go, people!"

Hunter turned to lead the squad out, took two steps, and felt a sharp tug at the side of his leg. The heavy drawstring of his tactical cargo pants was pulled out. He blinked, looked to his left and saw nobody. He finally looked down.

Standing there was Yaya. Her tiny face was completely soaked with tears, her lower lip pouted out so far it was a wonder it didn’t hit the floor, and she was shaking her head in desperate refusal.

The entire squad ground to a halt. Everyone turned to stare.

"Daddy Hunter" Yaya snuffled, her small hands clutching his pants for dear life. "No go."

A collective gasp echoed through the crowd. The squad members who hadn’t heard the rumor yet looked like their brains had just short-circuited. Daddy?! The refugees from Rosewater were even more blown away. Yaya’s mother had explicitly told everyone that the little girl’s real father had perished while fleeing from the Iron Vale Confederacy! How had Hunter become her father?

It was glaringly obvious to those in the know: the poor girl was deeply traumatized by the loss, and in her grief, she had latched onto the biggest, strongest adult in the valley as her emotional anchor. And that anchor just so happened to be the terrifying, cold-faced Hunter Magnus.

Hunter let out a long, weary sigh that seemed to drain ten years off his life. He dropped to one knee, resting his large hands gently on her small shoulders. "Listen to me, Yaya," Hunter grunted, trying to sound soothing, though his voice was as smooth as sandpaper. "I am going to play with the fish. When I come back, I will play horsey with you."

Before Yaya could protest, Nanny Rosita hurried over, swooping down to pull the crying child away. Yaya thrashing her tiny arms like a wild cat, flailing against Rosita’s grip. Hunter awkwardly shooed her away with the gentle caution one might use on a very clingy, very angry kitten. In the end, he stuffed a candy into her hands to distract her.

Zyra leaned against the gate, watching him get utterly defeated by a child. She chuckled, letting out a loud, amused sigh.

Hunter shot her a sharp glare as he stood up, dusting off his knee. "Don’t. Say. A word."

"Didn’t say a thing!" Zyra said, raising her hands innocently, a huge smirk playing on her lips. "My lips are sealed." She gave Beauty a command to open the gate.

With a deep groan, the steel gates of the shelter slowly rolled open. Beyond the barrier, howling winds and churning, pitch-black floodwaters awaited them.

With anxious hearts, the squad stepped outside.