Chapter 151: Hunting Two Feral Beasts
POV Rio Wood Clone
I was assigned to oversee an operation to kill Fenrir. With me was Geralt and Vesemir. We were riding horses through the German countryside. Fenrir was hiding in a forest near the Polish Border. Why they were hiding here wasn't clear but it didn't seem to matter as all we needed to do was kill Fenrir.
Vesemir: "We should arrive at the campsite in a few minutes."
Rio: "Are you sure you want to hunt this man?"
Vesemir: "Of course. While he may be a formidable monster. But we Witchers were created for this. He has already lost what little humanity he has. I can't let such a mindless beast continue to roam the countryside killing anyone he comes across."
Geralt: "Hold up. I smell something ahead."
I look ahead and see the carcass of a human that had been ripped to shreds. Vesemir got off his horse while Geralt kept watch. I went with Vesemir.
Vesemir: "See here. This corpse is less than a day old. The claw marks are too big for a bear or wolf. There are signs of chewing on some parts of the arms and the femur has been snapped in half by what looks like the jaws of a wolf. It was done in a single bite and then the marrow was sucked out. This was a messy attack. Wolves wouldn't leave a corpse like this. They would eat all they could. This was done by a Werewolf."
Rio: "Hmm, it seems he has started expanding his territory. We should have been at least another 20 minutes away from his known territory. Do you think he could be being pushed out?"
Vesemir stands up and looks at me.
Vesemir: "Unlikely, if he is as gone as this victim suggests he would fight viciously for his territory. We can check but there are few creatures I know of on this world that could force out such and ancient beast. The more likely event is that he ran out of prey and ventured further to find something. Or he has a craving to kill humans and not animals. But you make a point we best keep an eye out for anything that suggests a territorial battle."
We get back on our horses and continue on our journey. As we get closer to the campsite we chose, we see signs of territorial markings.
Vesemir: "This is most odd. The wildlife has clearly fled the area. The territory of Fenrir is far too large for a Werewolf. Patrolling it would take too long for a beast of his estimated size."
I hear a humming and see Geralts Medalion humming.
Geralt: "Magic. Not very strong but someone cast something here recently."
Rio: "Or they cast a strong spell a while ago. Maybe Fenrir was forced out by a magic caster. Or he was hunting one."
Vesemir: "Let's set up camp here. Rio, please set up the wards and barrier. I start setting up the equipment. Geralt, look around but don't stray too far we don't know what happened here nor when Fenrir will show himself."
We both nod and get to work. Once everything is set up Vesemir gathers us at the campfire.
Vesemir: "You learn anything."
Geralt: "Fenrir and the mage battled just south of here. I also found tracks at the battle site. The tracks are far too large for the size of what we expected. The tracks also don't make sense. Going to the battle they are smaller but leaving they increase massively."
Vesemir: "How big should we expect?"
Geralt: "4 to 5 Meters tall."
We both widen our eyes at the estimated size.
Vesemir: "That is far larger than what we were expecting. We will need to increase the size of the trap to accommodate up to 6 meters in height."
Rio: "Would you like for me to call for backup?"
Vesemir: "Hmm, no I think we can do fine on our own and I wouldn't want to interfere with everyone's training. The trap if triggered will greatly weaken the beast and make it easy to finish off."
Rio: "Very well. Where should we start building it?"
Vesemir: "In the camp. It will be the best place to make it as this camp is bait enough for Fenrir. Just bring out a deer carcass after the trap is set so we can eat while also attracting the beast."
I nod and start making my trap. I was fairly glad to reuse my old trap I made to trap Mal0 way back when. Especially since it didn't really work the first time.
'Should I be worried it won't work? No, Sendak, Vesemir, and Tsunade have all checked it and confirmed it would have worked if Mal0 wasn't a dirty cheater. Okay maybe they didn't use those exact words but the gist was nearly the same.'
I worked with Vesemir and Geralt to make sure the trap was set properly before we used the bait. With my cooking skills, the smell could have the magical steam hands effect. I know because I have seen several people enter the kitchen being carried by the steam hands. And thankfully they aren't the Family Guy version. It doesn't take long for us to hear Fenrir approaching.
Geralt: "Hmm, great venison. I could get addicted to this."
Vesemir: "I know right."
Both Geralt and Vesemir slowly reach for their swords as they talk. I make myself an easy target for Fenrir so I will be the first "victim". Or at least my Shadow Clone will be. I am underground using the Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique.
AWOOOOOOOOOO
Fenrir rushes at my Shadow Clone then bites down on it and triggers the magic array. Once it is activated Fenrir becomes very sluggish and slow. I pop out of the ground with a Silver Sword and the three of us all aim for different parts. I go for the neck. Geralt goes for the left arm and Vesemir goes for the Right Leg. Fenrir barely dodges my attack and receives a cut on its neck instead of a decapitation. But it can't dodge the other attacks and it loses its Right Leg and Left Arm. As it gushes blood we go for another round of cuts and this time it dodges 2 as it flails around in a frenzy. But the one it doesn't dodge is the one that cuts off its Right Hand. Without any real leverage, it is easy for us to finish the beast.
Vesemir: "That array is really something. We didn't even have to use any signs. Now I believe you are going to preserve the body for later study by Orochimaru."
Rio: "Yep, even if it is unlikely we should still study a cure for Lycanthropy. We never know when it might come in handy. And Fenrir is an ancient Werewolf so who knows what we may discover."
Vesemir: "Well make sure to let Orochimaru know I want to be present for the research. I can likely help him greatly and I would like to harvest some Werewolf Mutagens if I can."
I use a spell to reconstitute the body and then I cast a preservation spell on it before I put it into my inventory. My inventory may pause time but when it leaves it will begin decaying.
Geralt: "Who is the next target?"
Rio: "I thought you 2 weren't coming with?"
Geralt: "Vesemir isn't but I don't mind joining. I could use the exercise."
Vesemir: "Bah! He is just trying to get out of the castle."
Geralt: "And another one of your lectures on monsters we will likely never see again."
Vesemir: "Well then maybe you should remember what I teach you. It could save your life one of these days."
I let them bicker for a while longer before they say their goodbyes and Vesemir uses a Gate to get back home. Geralt and I get on our horses as our target isn't that far away.
Rio: "Our next target is called Sabretooth. He is the brother of Logan Howlett. While Logan has kept his mind fairly human Sabretooth has let much of those instincts control him and it makes him a brutal murderer and rapist. As well as a laundry list of other crimes. He works for whoever pays him enough. He was banned from the ICA due to his violent nature and his unprofessional conduct. That has brought him to Germany where he currently lives in a small village. He is expected to join Hydra next week. As they are the only ones who will hire him. Officially we are here on behalf of the ICA. We will be meeting up with Samui."
Geralt: "Does he share the same powers as Logan?"
Rio: "Somewhat but to be exact he has the following powers. Superhuman Strength, Stamina, Agility, Speed, Reflexes, and Senses. He has small 3-inch retractable claws and fangs. He is immune to most poisons, toxins, diseases, and viruses. He doesn't visibly age and the most noteworthy ability is his healing factor. His healing factor is so strong that seemingly nothing can kill him."
Geralt: "Then what are we supposed to do?"
Rio: "You and Samui are just here so that there is an official reason why Sabretooth dies and mysteriously disappears. Like I said with his healing factor almost nothing can kill him. So I will use something he has no resistance to. Instant Death Magic. What can he do if his soul is stolen? The answer is nothing. He is no threat to me but I would rather not have to deal with an army of Sabretooth Clones. Thus we are getting rid of him before he becomes a problem. Lastly, I have received permission to put him down from Logan. Any questions?"
Geralt: "Yes, why are we riding horses to the village in question?"
Rio: "You hate teleporting."
Geralt: "That makes sense."
Rio: "Now it will be another 10 minutes before we arrive. What do you want to talk about?"
Geralt: "Why is Sabretooth living here? Does he know about Fenrir?"
Rio: "I can't say for certain but there are rumors that Hydra knows about Fenrir and Sabretooth was hired to capture him before he joins Hydra proper. Hydra is being very cautious about attacks or interference so they are taking much longer to bring Sabretooth in."
We talk for a while longer before we arrive at the house where Sabretooth is currently living. He murdered the previous occupants and the entire village was abandoned as the villagers were either killed or they fled. Those that fled didn't make it far as Hydra was watching the surrounding area. They were forced to pull back because Team Galactic was seen in the nearby city and that was seen as more important to investigate. I nodded to Geralt and we got off our horses. I knocked on the door.
Sabretooth: "Who is it?"
Rio: "Excuse me good sir but do you have a moment to hear about our lord and savior Twilight Sparkle, the defeat of the Storm King, and the Magic of Friendship?"
Sabretooth: "I already read... wait what did you say? Also, who the heck are you?"
Rio: "Spooder-man."
He looks at me and what he sees confuses him to no end. It confuses him so much he just tries to close the door.
(AN: If you want a visual of what Sabretooth is seeing watch Spooder-Man Movie Trailer on YouTube. )
I had my fun and used Time Stop with True Death to eliminate him and then I stored the body. Once that was done I undid the transformation. Geralt just looked at me and sighed.
Geralt: "Was that really necessary?"
Rio: "No but it was funny."
Geralt smirks but says nothing more. Samui on the other hand is looking as neutral as ever.
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Authors Note:
A bit of a laid-back hunting trip with Vesemir and Geralt. Rio gets to see how Witchers do their work and learns a bit in the process. Also, Fenrir was the last victim of the Lycanthophy Curse. Sabretooth is a real threat to most beings. Unless you just bypass his main strength, his healing factor. Until next time Ciao.