The Cursed Blind Woman (10)
As the so-called demon hunters clutched their weapons and surged up the stairs, the onlookers screamed in terror.
I planted my foot in the chest of the leader, sending the whole pack tumbling down like dominoes.
"Out of the way! I've been stabbed...!"
They tangled and slashed at each other by accident in the chaos. All flash on the outside, but total rabble inside. Chasing down one innocent woman while calling themselves demon hunters.
"Fuck! I was trying to end this nice!"
The guy who'd been all polite just moments ago switched straight to banmal and charged up the stairs.
"Give it up already. You've sized up the situation."
"Shut your mouth!"
His sword plunged right into my gut.
"Master!"
Pelle unleashed a terrifying roar, partially unleashing her demonic arm. A claw the size of a greatsword shot out, smashing the stair railing to splinters.
"Pelle. Calm down. Don't wreck the place."
I raised a hand to halt her.
"Wha... wha... fuck... what the hell..."
The man stammered, yanking at the sword hilt buried in my stomach with both hands.
I pinched the blade between thumb and forefinger. It snapped off uselessly—it hadn't even pierced my skin.
"Anyone wanna try slitting their own throat with this broken shard? Or should I jam it in that lady's last good eye?"
The one-eyed woman, uncoiling her chain sickle from her waist, flinched and froze.
"I won't even charge you for the filthy floor, my ripped clothes, or the busted railing. So just get the fuck out."
"You... what the hell are you?!"
"Innkeeper."
I descended the stairs slow and steady. They panicked, thundering down after me in a rout.
"Hurry...!"
One clutched his bleeding side—stabbed by his own buddy—and fell behind. I grabbed his collar and dragged him down solo.
The hunters were already shoving each other to flee the inn.
Stepping out after them, cold gusts and damp autumn rain lashed my face.
"Hey."
"Y-yes... sir...!"
I dispensed some life advice to the one still collared.
"Pick your friends better. Guys who ditch you and run ain't friends."
"Got it...!"
I flung him into the yard. He sailed through the air and face-planted upside-down in a puddle.
A few fleeing hunters doubled back to haul him up—including the guy with the blackened hand.
"You think we're done here?! Our main force ain't even shown up!"
"Oh yeah? Come back then. Next time I'll really have fun with you."
He flinched at my words but kept blustering.
"When our captain gets here, he could burn this shithole inn to ash!"
"Why not do it now? Can't y'all make fire? Anyway, scram. While you're still breathing."
"When the captain arrives, we'll really...!"
"Fuck off already, you pieces of shit!"
I bellowed and took a step forward. The demon hunters bolted into the shadows like rats.
What a bunch of worthless fucks... Bad guys show up, I beat 'em down; another pack rolls in, beat 'em; think it's over, more come—beat 'em. Ten years straight, retired and it's the same bullshit. How many assholes have I pounded since opening this place not even a year ago? Shit just keeps piling up. Could've played it legal or flipped it on them with some scheme. But reality never follows the rules, and my plain brain can't hack it without fists. Can't smash first like hero days with status backing me. Looking back, those "boring" times were way easier. Fate? Sometimes I ask for it. But damn... how long till this ends? Getting real tired.
Back inside, some rattled guests still milled in the hall from the commotion.
"Sorry, folks. Debt collectors hit the wrong spot."
I spun a plausible line; they grumbled but bought it, shuffling to rooms or drinks.
Wanted to cripple the bastards so they couldn't scheme again, but too many witnesses...
Situation cleared, I hunted down Idi.
"Why... Bertrand...?"
"Can you rig Beldra's Curse Ropes on all doors and windows after close?"
"Yeah... not hard... third floor too...?"
Idi acts airheaded, but she's a damn skilled black mage. Hand seals without chants prove it.
Over to Pelle inspecting the busted railing. Her sleeves shredded from the partial shift.
"Total wreck. Dock my pay for repairs..."
"Nah. Tell Ukun; he'll fix it in a flash."
"I see."
Pelle scooped debris stoically.
"Thanks, Pelle."
"For what."
"Body opening to guard me, right?"
She fixed me with cold eyes.
"Delusions are free."
"Haha... yeah."
She brushed past down the stairs, muttering under her breath.
"If you're thankful, do something about it..."
What the hell does that demon want? Sheesh.
Heading to Kosa's room, I recapped the mess.
Sorry and rummaging for her bag already.
"Forgive me, Balder. Can't stay anymore."
"No. Stick around. Rain's pouring, hunters still lurking. They'll circle back."
"That's exactly why I must leave. Or else..."
"Nuh-uh."
I snatched her wrist as she nabbed the bag.
"Stay put. No worries. If it got too hot, I'd boot you first."
Head bowed, wrist in my grip.
"Sorry, Balder... all my fault..."
"It's fine. Not on you."
Finally coaxed her to linger. A blind woman heading out now? Suicide.
Last drinkers filed out; inn closed for night. Sent Idi to rig the ropes—with Pelle backup.
Ukun, hearing the hunter ruckus, face beet-red, stomping mad.
"If I'd been there, I'd hammer their knees flat to my height!!"
"Shorter than me then?"
Marim smirked; Ukun glared, sidled up to compare—then grumbled silent, realizing he lost.
"They'll hit us again. If they barge in, no panic—bunker in rooms. I'll deal."
"Why bench me!"
"You'd just trip in the dark, dwarf. Scary thought."
Ukun puffed up, but Della pleaded quiet for sleeping guests. Bath boss gets respect; he simmered down.
"Dunno... grab a kitchen knife just in case?"
"Haha, no need, Francois. You'd cut yourself."
Dismissed the crew upstairs, waited on Idi and Pelle.
Celereja hung back, face worried.
"Heard they're dogged. Worship the god of the hunt for a reason. Won't drop it."
"Probably. But what can ya do? Can't slaughter 'em all back there."
"Report to the guard captain?"
Not blind to it. But spilling to Lambert? Messy—especially Kosa. Would he even get her on a normal level?
"Inn business; owner wraps it."
"True, but..."
She eyed me, then the Holy Sword behind the bar, and climbed the stairs.
Soon, soaked Idi and Pelle trudged in.
"Rain's dumping buckets out there... lightning too..."
"Winter closing in. All set?"
"Yeah... windows, back door—guaranteed snag..."
"Good work. Hit the sack."
Head pat; she beamed goofy and headed up.
"Pelle. Hang back."
She paused, turned.
Idi vanished upstairs; I closed in, arms around her waist.
Eyes wide, she shoved at my arms. Snagged her wrists, kissed her deep.
She squirmed at first, then went limp, yielding.
"Wha... what the hell...?"
Lips parted; she stammered, eyes down.
"Thanks for earlier."
"Bullshit... who rewards like this...?"
Cheeks flushed, gaze darting wild.
"Let go. Bedtime..."
Released; she retreated glaring daggers.
Then lunged, arms round my neck, tiptoes—kissed fierce. Tongue invaded, tangled wild, saliva mixing.
Long string when she broke it.
"If you're gonna do it, do it right."
She spat it and stormed upstairs.
Lips tingling numb, I stood dazed, staring after her.
Deep night, all asleep. Rain hammered windows louder; lightning flashed brief white, thunder rumbling after. Della jolted across the wall.
Hyper-focused hearing caught every tiny sound.
"Sis'll make bank... we'll all live together..."
Marim's sleep-talk. Dreaming of sibs? Half-elves holding up in the cold? Monthly hell horse runs with pay, but it's dropped sharp since last...
Worried. Help 'em somehow, but need a slot... Social stigma's brutal. Can't pack the inn with that many kids.
Mulling that, a noise from downstairs.
"Fuck...! What the shit is this?!" Someone snagged the Beldra's Curse Rope on the ground-floor door.
Yep... the bastards came back.
I rose slow from bed, headed out.
Just hitting the first-floor stairs—glass shattered; the dark hall blazed orange.
"Those crazy fuckers?!"