[C-RANK]

With the first checkpoint out of the way and the rewards distributed Lucretia found herself in need of improvement. She had to stop breaking her swords so she thought to herself to get something better. Something that would help her and stand the test of her necessary fights. Finding herself in the smithy fairly quickly she was enthralled by the options there.

But one stood out beyond the others; A Stalker Sword. A blade that would do honest work in her zealous crusade against those creatures of the night. Driving fear into their hearts and into their minds. It was a quick purchase and one she did not regret making as she strode confidently back to the mines.

Checking the map before entering she found it would be a mile into there before she would happen upon that second checkpoint. Her confidence was surging and she’d stride through the abandoned mine shafts; certain of her consistency and certain that in the short time between the hunts that she would be victorious.

They wouldn’t have ample time to rest and they wouldn’t know without a quick check that their people were gone. Finding the first checkpoint was easy. Finding that it was also wiped clean made her worry ever so slightly. Frowning a bit the woman put a hand on her hip and scanned the area. One hand going down to her blade.

It wasn’t without reasonable worry but… She also found that her worry yielded nothing. There were no eyes in the dark and there was no rush from the wolves to claim her. She figured that they were going to play it smart. They did have the home turf advantage but… She had something she didn’t before.

She had a blade that would bite deep into their flesh and with a small growl she’d draw the faintly glowing blade. It was basically a candle in terms of brightness but would serve her just as well. Making her way through the dark mines she eventually ended up in the locale she had looked to find.

But there was nothing here, no laughing individuals. No players of cards, no beacons of light. No lanterns and no rest. She’d grit her teeth and look around, eventually finding a pair of staring orbs. Hate infused in them as they slowly stood; towering over the woman holding that faintly glowing blade. These wolves were a little stronger, a little faster. A little tougher. To a warrior from before maybe Lucretia would have wilted.

But the constant fighting had changed her a bit and she kept her guard up; snarling as the claws slammed against her sword. The sword easily deciding for itself that this creature was that of what it sought. Seemingly guiding her strokes the woman saw the points where she could strike harder and more effectively.

This first wolf fell to a mere pair of swings; crumbling underneath the blade’s guidance. She felt stronger, more passionate. More efficient. She’d stand above the inert wolf and cast around. Noting the sprinting shadows. They were coming from another direction, they likely would have attacked her back if the other werewolf didn’t finish her off. Snarling in agitation she’d whirl; meeting their flurry of claws and fang with sword, boot and fist.

It was grueling and she had to admit to herself that if she was any lesser maybe she would have struggled and maybe they would have just toyed with her but the woman didn’t even hesitate. A clean stroke of her sword separated the heads of both of the wolves in one brutal stroke. Finding their bodies crumpling in front of her the hunter looked around.

It was like she was a woman possessed; she couldn’t help but revel in the power she held in her hands. Confidence soaring; and maybe if she was a lesser woman it would have quickly buckled as a trio of shadows made their way to her. Gifting her with the sight of not just the alpha of this pack but two of packmates. She stood there defiantly, staring up at the alpha who was seething with rage.

They didn’t move for an agonizing few seconds before everything happened all at once. Lucretia’s step forward to present her sword as a challenge, the leaping of the two at the alpha’s side and the snarling roar as he followed suit. Figuring that they would overwhelm the Hunter with numbers alone. The first wolf fell as easily as the others. But the second landed a fierce bite into her shoulder, punching through the armor like it wasn’t there.

The alpha bore down on the two of them and just before he hit her the other wolf let go, sending lucretia soaring through the air and crashing into a supporting beam of the mine. Causing the entire area to shudder for a moment. Both of the wolves looked around in panic as they thought maybe they overdid it.

It was that opening that Lucretia used to stand back up, spitting out a bit of blood. The alpha hit even harder than the others that she had fought before. Which definitely spoke volumes about werewolves coming in different breeds. Snarling a command to his lesser companion they’d leap at her at the same time.

Lucretia didn’t even hesitate, sweeping her sword out in front of her in a vicious arc. Finding the death of the lesser werewolf just as the alpha managed to stop himself short by grabbing onto the ceiling.

The two of them started in anger at one another. Pure unbridled hatred rolling off of the alpha as he stood up so tall that his head practically pressed against the ceiling. His ears splayed to either way if only because there was no where else to go. Lucretia adjusted her stance; grimacing in pain as she could feel the strike from the alpha acutely. The smaller werewolf’s bite feeling like fire on her arm.

Was she infected? She couldn’t tell but she could figure that if she wasn’t before she certainly was now! Maybe she’d have to check back after this. The alpha was mindful of the blade, only attacking lucretia after she had made a swipe with it. But it didn’t take much footwork or too long for lucretia to start feinting with it.

The first swipe was wide, meant to indicate she was open. But a quick adjustment of her feet meant that she was good and braced for the following downward slash. Cutting the wolf from shoulder to hip twice over. She was by no means fast, but she certainly was effective. Practically severing either arm before she put the blade all the way down to the hilt in the damn beast’s chest. Watching it sputter up blood as it collapsed in front of her.

She was no better, feeling the burning of many of it’s claws across her body and snarling in agitation as she put a boot to his chest. Slowly peeling them off of the blade and watching with a satisfied smirk as the lycan lay dead at her feet.

She’d make sure to collect the teeth for proof later. The primary teeth being her main focus before she turned her attention to beyond in the dark. She had maybe a few hours before whatever leader came to check these ones. So she’d head back to town for now.

But upon her next foray? Perhaps she’d find the shepherd that time.