Into the country of Devandia and from afar in the Tavern at a town settlement named Rawardia a bounty hunter taskmaster Miguel Dommis is searching around to gather new information. As it has been a month since the incident against the former great mage was defeated, and Jin-sae Akaumo used to having a large bounty on him for ten years has ended. While this may be good for him, but the effect on Rawardia where most bounty hunters go hired, capture their target, and bring back to retrieve the gold. But nowadays the activities of the wanted criminals has suddenly gotten shorter and shorter, as thanks to the reputation of the renown Nightly Crew being the new name, have the three members, Gale Night, Ralian Thorner, and their newest yet well known across Devandia, Jin-sea Akaumo.
Now Miguel is trying his best to create some side jobs, or any bounties he had gotten information from and find potential clients to accept some bounty he had acquired from others he first asked Mackie Mackie.
"Hey Mac don't you want to pitch in to accept a bounty, and receive a special reward"
"Oh no thanks Miguel, but thanks for asking"
Feeling a bit disappointed next he asked Yamma Azory, an old friend to Gale and Ralian, after her defeat against the hands of Jin when during her times with the hunters. She got arrested, but due to her reputation of being associated with Gale and Ralian they let her off the bars, but at a price. She must pay her debt as she is now working in community services to pay off her debt of a hundred thousand gold for the reckless crimes she committed with her times with the group of hunters.
"What about you, Yamma my old friend, how's community service working for you. Ready to do a bounty like the good old days"
"Go jump off a bridge, you crooked scumbag"
Miguel after getting the harsh words from Yamma, he then tries to ask other bounty hunters to be his clients and to accept his bounties but to no avail. "Yeesh, I can not believe these how my clients used to treat me now and days besides that scoundrel Hazard, how was it so simple to get those two in all kind of suicide task. And even with Jin by their side they want to pick the more dangerous task. What have I done, at this point they might as well take every task I have left"
As Miguel is looking through all his documents and sees the ones that he specifically gave to Gale and Ralian, as towards their current bounty, hunting a wild boar hunter "now with the wind caster by their side they are willing to take the more dangerous path... I guess I should give them something more dangerous".
Suddenly, as Miguel was picking through the flyers to find a more dangerous task for The Nightly Crew, someone kicked down the door "hey what give... oh no" the owner was about to kick the stranger out of here until he saw what he looked like. Wearing a familiar cloak as there was a robe covering the lower part of his legs, but everyone else was also in shock of his presence but doesn't knows exactly who he is, and is looking at Miguel as he suddenly felt the fear of his gaze.
"Why hello there Mr. Wanderer sir" trying to stay calm and composed but was still quivering in boots as he tries tipping his hat and the strander continues to walk towards Miguel to relieve the pressure.
"If it's business you want then I suppose I propose. Guards get him!" Miguel quickly asked the Guards to attack the stranger. As the Guards soon charge towards the Stranger tries to swing their blades at him. But the Stranger shatters their swords with a single strike from his long sword then dashes forward and holds Miguel who couldn't even process what happened was suddenly grabbed by the throat.
"If you value your life, then tell me... where to find the knight, and the Druid".
Meanwhile into a nearby forest three adventurers are running through the forest chasing their bounty, Gale jumping over a log "hey Ralian what gives, where's Jin we need him to help us collect this bounty"
Ralian quickly to dodge an axe throw "you know Jin he's just taking it easy since he almost got his powers siphoned"
Gale blocking an attack from another axe thrown towards them "yeah but still doesn't he still know how to be a team player"
Ralian jumping over another log and jumped over from tree to tree as to get closer towards the boar but couldn't and still kept her pace along with Gale "Gale now's not the time we need to get this bounty"
Gale then punched a boulder breaking it and keeps running "by the way why are we hunting a boar hunter... also ouch we did I do that"
Ralian face palms herself "Gale have you forgotten already. He's on the bounty for disturbing the peace for some boar farmers even killing their boars"
Gale jumping over another log "but isn't the meat from the boar what we eat?"
Ralian then started to feel a bit frustrated "Gale please just focus".
As they are getting near the Boar Hunter, Ralian summons vines to try to trap the Boar hunter in place, but he manages to to slip past through Ralian's vines "damn it" "quick he's heading towards his camp".
Suddenly as they Boar hunter was heading towards his camp, he was shocked to see that it was instantly decimated and who stands all alone and defeated everyone in the camp is Jin-Sae Akaumo "aw what took so long" then the Boar Hunter shocked to see his camp destroyed by Jin, quickly tries to make his escape but was then subdued by Gale and Ralian, and Ralian use a poke of atropa belladonna to paralyze the Boar Hunter and quickly tie him up.
"Jin where were you?"
"I was up at that tree taking in the fresh air it had to offer"
"that's it" Ralian raising an eyebrow at Jin
"To be honest I didn't want to ruin your fun with that chase you two were having. So I took my time to locate where his camp is and defeat all his goons for you"
"Well the only things that matters is bring the Boar Hunter, to claim our reward"
Jin nods, activating his wind abilities he levitates all of them along with the Boar Hunter back to Rawardia. Flying through the air thanks to Jin they manage to get back to Rawardia swiftly and then landed towards the gates of Rawardia as they headed towards the tavern. But they suddenly feel an uneasy feeling around them as they look around to see that it doesn't seemed to be more active than usual.
"Somethings wrong, Jin take a look" Jin nodded and summons the wind as it flows through the whole tavern, but Jin doesn't sense anything nor anyone.
"It's empty" they quickly realized something is wrong and Gale quickly bash through the door much to their disproval, but as they all witness slash marks all around the tavern.
"Search around this place" they all scattered as they searched the entire tavern. But all they could find were broken tables, broken chairs, and even broken swords.
"I wonder who could've broke these sword" then Ralian looks towards Gale "Gale didn't you had a broken sword when we tried to turn in that Smog Hound"
"That's felt like a while ago. But I would count it" suddenly as they were searching the tavern they hear wood rattling, they quickly armed themselves, but they only see someone hand.
"Oh my, someone's alive quick get him up". As they brush off the broken chairs and rubble and see Miguel badly injured.
"Miguel are you alright" blood splattered a bit from Miguel mouth.
"Why it isn't my favourite client's how you been... ow"
"Hold still I'll heal you" Ralian started to use her healing magic onto Miguel''s wounds.
"Who did this to you"
"It was a wandering warrior. I didn't know who he was, but he was looking for you two"
"He's looking for us why"
"Not sure but he's powerful no doubt, he manage to disarm my guards with one swipe of his sword with no effort"
"Wait Ezrael was here?" As Gale said it quietly away from the others.
"Who?" Ralian heard despite Gale's best efforts to keep quiet.
"What... nothing. Anyways do you know where this wanderer went?"
"All he left was a map, and a few broken bones from yours truly" from Miguel's satchel he brings a map pointing towards the east side of Devandia.
"The east side aren't those where the fishermen who live in Livestock are"
"That's not only that but he also wanted me to tell you this message. The village of Livestocks, the fishermen had suddenly been disappearing one by one as a harmonious song emits from the whole village"
"A harmonious song? That's new"
"Well I think we've got our work cut out for us. Also Miguel we caught the Boar hunter"
"Sure you get put him in the cellar, and I will pay you when you get back from your next task"
"Alright, your leg is healed. Gale, Jin let's prepare first, before heading off".
As they all leave Gale and Ralian quickly put the Boar Hunter into one of the cellars while Jin is heading into one of the shops as he's purchasing items, ropes and bottle with corks before leaving the shop after paying, Ralian and Gale head to the blacksmith shop as Ralian buys arrows, and Gale refine they're sword and shield then as they all finish they head towards the gates of Rawardia then head off towards the east side to the village of Livestock.
(End of chapter 21)