Sometimes people really were petty, so much even that they went out of their way to request dark mages, just so that they could do the sick little job they themselves couldn't. May it be a robbery, threaten someone, or just simply kill a certain loved one. Or in this particular case, someones beloved pet. Really, the vile things people wanted just because something annoyed them a little, still surprised Viktor even at his age, which was equal to the fact that he was old enough that he has seen plenty of things over the years.
Then again, a job was a job. And for a member of the dark community of mages, killing was just a run of the mill request. In fact it would have been odd, if the request board didn't had a single assassination contract hanging for an entire week.
However, what was also a common occurrence with jobs, was that the clients often left out certain details. That one, especially those taking the job, could consider rather crucial. Like with Viktors current job for example, here he was in Oshibana, a small little town were not much excitement happened. Ready to strike down some pet. If it wasn't for the small particular part that the client forgot to tell, namely that pet wasn't just a simple dog or cat. No, it was a full blown grotesque Grizzly Bear the kind that Viktor never witnessed before. And the kind that knew nothing but then to be angry all the time, or so at least did it appear for Viktor. A large muscled beast, that was often an alpha predator in certain regions. An unrivaled creature, mostly only faced when having a gun at least.
Surely something worth knowing, especially if you just told the owner, that you had come here to kill her precious pet. Which surprisingly enough had a very unfitting name. Namely Bon-Bon. And just like her ninety three year old owner, Bon-Bon appeared to have a tad of an anger problem.
Bon-Bon roared, no bellowed angrily. The moment her owner shrieked at him that he had to get rid of this pesky man. And immediately set in chase, crashing through the front door of the building. Naturally the first thing Viktor did was to run away, as were he was now, he had no way to defeat the horrific animal head on.
With surprising vitality for a man his age, he jumped over the nearest fence and onto the streets. Hearing from behind another roar, and the crumbling crushing sound of a wooden fence being shred to pieces. People all around him jumped aside, or simply run out of the way as quickly as possible the moment they knew what was going. Not that you could blame them, after all, seeing that behemoth of a beast running towards you would even scare a the strongest man. Viktor on the other hand was necessarily scared, sure the consequences of being caught by such a beast wasn't something he was particular fond of, but scared no. All he had to was to outsmart the animal.
Quickly he turned around the corner to the left, at the ver first intersection he came across, which was unfortunately for a merchant as his stall with wares was in the direct trajectory of the bear, who unlike Viktor just decided to run through as many things as possible instead of avoiding. Of course it came with another sound of a wooden structure being crushed into smithereens, and this time with the scared shrieking high pitched scream from the merchant itself, who witnessed his precious merchandise being destroyed.
Off course Viktor tried to throw something in its path behind him. But nothing really managed stopped the beast or it's impenetrable will. And even when they neared another intersection, this time with moving carts traveling on it, it just went straight through one. One that carried chickens and other birds even, creating even more chaos in the otherwise peaceful town.
But Victor had a plan, he just had to find enough space for it. Because these small streets didn't leave him with enough maneuverability. And that was certainly something he needed to face this wretched bear. Also he couldn't endanger anyone else further, well not that really was an issue, but people tended to be an hindrance. They could become an risk, and Viktor really needed to face Bon-Bon alone.
But then there it was, after running for a few moments more, a wide area appeared before him. Which seemed to the towns square of some sorts. Either way it gave him enough room, to actually face off against Bon-Bon.
In an instant he stood still, giving the bear the opportunity close in on Viktor some more, which it did with the same relentless chase. It was at this point as the bear was almost upon Viktor, that he quickly stepped aside, having the bear miss him and even tumble around as it surprisingly fell down and came crashing into the nearest wall.
Viktor on the other hand, was surprisingly enough still standing. Only something had changed, he had found something to defend himself with. Something he had taken from one of the stalls as he was running through the streets, trying to avoid Bon-Bon at all cost. It was a simple yet refined enough sword, sure it wasn't considered the best of the best. But it had to suffice.
However, as Viktor stood there, with the blade held in front of his face, one could see that the blade itself hand't drawn any blood whatsoever, yet the ground was covered with it. Either way, it suggested that Viktor had done something to cause damage to the bear without even striking at it.
The reason for that, was something he held in his other hand, which were a small amount of iron nails. Normally used for woodwork, only this time, he had thrown it onto the ground and set it as trap for the bear to walk into. Only for that to work it had to ran exactly where Viktor had thrown the nails, which was the reason for his sudden standstill.
In front of him, Bon-Bon roared with an unwavering wrath, while slowly regaining his footing. It was still relentless apparently, as it immediately charged at Viktor once again.
Again, Viktor evaded the bear by just stepping aside, towards the same direction again. Only instead of using the nails this time, he finally struck against the bear. As it charged passed him, he stuck out the sword. And slashed not one, but two of its legs. Forcing the bear again the come crashing down.
'Animals... such a bore really'
He turned around to face Bon-Bon, and slowly walked towards it. While the bear once again stood up from his crash, growling and glaring. But more careful this time. Apparently it wasn't entirely stupid.
With a much slower pace, he started to circle around the dark mage, prowling and observing. For an opening he wasn't going to get. The bear went even so far, that it pretend to strike at him, like clawing towards his position, even when Viktor was clearly out of the animals range.
Yet the butler of the darkest of guilds, wasn't stupid. In fact he knew exactly what the animal was up to, he was circling around hoping to attack him from behind.
And just as he had predicted, the bear lunged at him, the moment it reach the point were Viktors eyes couldn't follow. But without any avail, as Viktor knew exactly what the bear was up to, he was more then prepared to handle this attack.
The moment Bon-Bon lunged forwards, it also partially jumped at Viktor, which he'd easily avoided by jumping aside, yet also slashing at the beast right claw. Which got cut off with one clean slice.
'Heh, I might have underestimated this blade after all' Spoke Viktor out loud, while also making a mental note to himself, to actually pay the merchant for this weapon. 'Ah well, it's time to end this I guess'
Dashing forwards at the enraged beast that roared with a mixture of agony and anger, Viktor did what most people wouldn't. Getting closer to a beast that was fighting for it's very survival.
With its remaining claw, it lunged at Viktor, which was a sluggish move and easily seen coming. As the old-timer just ducked underneath it, while stabbing the animal in its armpit, thus rendering the only claw out of commission. And forcing the beast to fall over, unable to stand up again.
'Hmm, I'd expected more from a animal as yourself.' he said to the bear, while also placing his foot on its head. 'Shame really, if I had such a beast as yourself under my guardianship, you could have become a real force to be reckoned with... ah well'
Without any second doubt, Viktor shoved his blade into the skull of the bears. Slicing through the thick layer of bone and into it's brain. Instantly killing it.
And with one fell swoop, he pulled the blade out, while also slashing away the blood, revealing once again a clean sword.
'This really is a fine sword' he said out loud while looking from the hilt to the blade itself. Before he wandered off. Back to the darkest of guilds, back to his mages and masters. Back to Savage Skull.
